Sue Kirk

Sue Kirk has been growing willow and weaving baskets for 20 years in King's Cliffe, Northamptonshire. She makes traditional and contemporary baskets using several varieties of home grown willow. She works to commission and creates her own designs for galleries and interior spaces. She teaches basketry at her workshop in King's Cliffe and at the City Lit. She is a member of The Basketmakers' Association and is a Yeoman member of The Worshipful Company of Basketmakers.

Describe your approach to teaching.

I aim to inspire students, by introducing them to the work of present day basketmakers, by helping them to gain a real understanding of willow and teaching a variety of techniques and skills in a relaxed environment.

What inspires your own work?

I am mainly inspired by the willow and how it informs a visual language. Techniques, are also important to me, I am always hungry for new patterns and skills. I feel my contemporary baskets are sculptural, they are informed by weighty natural forms such as rocks and boulders and also by huge hand built ceramic vessels.