Caroline Hawkins is an artist, basket-maker and teacher.
In her work Caroline views nature as not only a source of inspiration, but the provider of an abundance of materials. Immersion in nature, the seasons and the cyclical ways of all things, informs her practice, from gathering local plant fibres, to preparing them and creating her baskets, animals and birds. Caroline believes that handling plants to use for fibre, contributes to a deeper understanding of our environment and our reciprocal relationship; an interdependence through a two-way flow of benefits and mutual responsibilities.
Based on the Surf Coast in Victoria, Caroline offers basket-weaving workshops and regularly exhibits her fibre-art sculptural animals and birds. Her weaving workshops offer a supportive environment for participants to discover more about being at one with the natural world around us through basket-weaving. She believes that hands on engagement with nature and connection with others can support wellbeing.
Caroline is represented by the Eagles Nest Gallery, Aireys Inlet
In her work Caroline views nature as not only a source of inspiration, but the provider of an abundance of materials. Immersion in nature, the seasons and the cyclical ways of all things, informs her practice, from gathering local plant fibres, to preparing them and creating her baskets, animals and birds. Caroline believes that handling plants to use for fibre, contributes to a deeper understanding of our environment and our reciprocal relationship; an interdependence through a two-way flow of benefits and mutual responsibilities.
Based on the Surf Coast in Victoria, Caroline offers basket-weaving workshops and regularly exhibits her fibre-art sculptural animals and birds. Her weaving workshops offer a supportive environment for participants to discover more about being at one with the natural world around us through basket-weaving. She believes that hands on engagement with nature and connection with others can support wellbeing.
Caroline is represented by the Eagles Nest Gallery, Aireys Inlet
...weaving a basket
In weaving well-being for land and people, we need to pay attention to the lessons of the three rows. Ecological well-being and the laws of nature are always the first row. Without them, there is no basket of plenty. Only if that first circle is in place can we weave the second. The second reveals material welfare, the subsistence of human needs. Economy built upon ecology. But with only two rows in place, the basket is still in jeopardy of pulling apart. It’s only when the third row comes that the first two can hold together. Here is where ecology, economics, and spirit are woven together. By using materials as if they were a gift, and returning that gift through worthy use, we find balance.
From Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer pg 152
In weaving well-being for land and people, we need to pay attention to the lessons of the three rows. Ecological well-being and the laws of nature are always the first row. Without them, there is no basket of plenty. Only if that first circle is in place can we weave the second. The second reveals material welfare, the subsistence of human needs. Economy built upon ecology. But with only two rows in place, the basket is still in jeopardy of pulling apart. It’s only when the third row comes that the first two can hold together. Here is where ecology, economics, and spirit are woven together. By using materials as if they were a gift, and returning that gift through worthy use, we find balance.
From Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer pg 152