Traditional Craft: Contemporary Context

Date: Sat 29 June 
Time: 10am – 12pm
For: Adults

Celebrating the collective resourcefulness and beliefs of island communities as depicted in our exhibition In Search of Hy-Brasil, join artist Maria McKinney for a group workshop in straw-weaving, an ancient and enduring form of hand-craft used to create both functional and symbolic objects. 

Traditionally, a version of corn dolly was made by weaving the last sheath of straw from the year’s crop into a maiden figure. People often believed this figure would house the spirit of fertility until the following spring, when the new crop was sewn. 

Explore Maria’s contemporary form of straw weaving, that also maintains a direct connection to fertility. Using AI (artificial insemination) straws in her artistic practice, she will offer insight into her working methods that combine rural and vernacular knowledge with more complex systems of genomic selection and breed development. 

Participants will have the opportunity to weave with AI and Oat straws, learning the four-strand spiral and other patterns. No artistic and craft making experience necessary. 

Maria McKinney makes work through a range of media including sculpture, installation, photography and video. Her practice reflects on the wider societal implications brought about by developments in agriculture and scientific research.