Artist’s Bio

Joanne Waters has been creating baskets from natural materials for over 15 years. She started working with garden prunings and soon became the neighbourhood recycling depot. She switched to bull kelp because of its sculptural qualities.

She collects the kelp during long beach walks with her husband, then dries it and wets it again before weaving it into shape. Kelp is very flexible, like leather, says Joanne.

She weaves tiny, lacy baskets that look like they have been crocheted and baskets large enough to hold a loaf of bread. She uses barnacles, branches and logs to weave into her pieces. Each basket is crowned with kelp heads and the baskets are given titles that suit their personalities.

Although mostly self-taught, Waters now teaches basketry and has been featured in many local shows and craft fairs.