willow weaver
Sue Kirk
Sue has been weaving willow baskets and sculpture professionally since 1997. Originally trained by local basketmakers Len Wilcox and Joni Bamford who inspired her enormously, Sue left her job as a secondary school teacher and began weaving full time. In 2002 Sue began a 4 year City in Guilds in Creative Basketry being taught by UK leading basketmaker’s Mary Butcher, Polly Pollock and Shuna Rendal. After this Sue spent time weaving in Ireland with basketmaker Joe Hogan, returning with willow cuttings from his collection to grow specifically for her basketry. Sue’s husband, Kirk has been growing willow in King’s Cliffe for 20 years, refining varieties and selecting the best willows for their baskets.
Sue now teaches all over the country and makes bespoke commissions. Sue teaches at the City Lit in London, The Basketmaker’s Association Spring School in Harrogate and The Scottish Basketmaker’s Circle. Sue’s beautiful workshop in The Old Brewery Studios is situated in King’s Cliffe, East Northamptonshire where her and her husband work and teach throughout the year.
Sue also studies local basketry and has recently worked with archaeologists replicating a Bronze Aged eel trap found at Must Farm in Peterborough .
Sue’s contemporary baskets are curvaceous, bulbous and highly textured. They combine the vibrant natural colours of her home grown willows, with the beauty of locally grown distorted hazel.
Her love of willow stems from the many beautiful varieties available for weaving, it’s curvaceous qualities and it’s ability to return back into the earth once it has served it’s purpose.