Welcome Pineapple 166

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Artist: Barbara Shapiro

Title: Welcome Pineapple 166

Attribution: Welcome Pineapple 166, 2022, Barbara Shapiro

Year: 2022

Materials: Tortoiseshell cane, waxed linen

Dimensions: 14" x 5" x 5"

Image Statement: Working in traditional Japanese flower knot technique used for utilitarian bags and coal scuttles, I create contemporary sculptural basketry. The exotic pineapple, both real ones and those carved on doorposts, were traditionally a sign of welcome for visitors. Mine mimic nature in plaited dyed cane and welcomes visitors to my new studio. 236 individual hexagonal plaited flower knots make up this form. I am drawn to this hexagonal plaiting technique because the flower knots are not merely embellishment, they are structural to the basket. With each knot, the basket grows.