“Weaving Nature” is an ongoing artistic research on foraging organic materials in the city of Rotterdam and weaving them in the shape of baskets and other types of weaves.
Willow trees have always had an emotional attachment for me, and I’m sure they hold a similar place in many of our hearts.
When I feel sad or need to process loss, I often walk along the canals in Rotterdam and find shelter beneath them, while the wind moves their branches above the water.
In many cultures, willows carry meanings of mourning, resilience, and renewal. They grow quickly, and even when storms bring down their branches, they find a way to regenerate.
Inspired by their strength, I once gathered some willow branches that had fallen after a storm and wove baskets from them. A small gesture of gratitude for the willow trees and for the wind.
Weaving with the rotting leaves of one of my house plants, which needed a bit of care too.
Joining my friend Ioanna in her Woodworking Atelier at Wijkpaleis in Rotterdam, I experiment with weaving organic materials together.
All of the branches, grasses, and flowers have been foraged in the garden or along the canals.