VACMA: Jane Haselden – Fibre Artist

“I have experimented with different wild and cultivated plants from our garden for weaving, paper-making (which I hope to use over the rest of the year for further experiments with weaving), and producing a wide range of natural dyes that can be used on different plant fibres.

A lot of my work has focused on dandelions, New Zealand flax, daffodils and ribbed plantain.

I have been sharing what I have learned through my blog and social media and it has been wonderful to see the response and have so many people inspired to try out some of these craft practices for themselves, based on the work that I have done. I will continue to see which plant fibres take dye well and will be experimenting with my plant papers for weaving and a series of works that explore the many uses for dandelion and plantain.

The award made a huge difference to my project. Not just because of the books and equipment that I was able to buy, to help me with developing my work, but also because it has given me confidence in my work, that has helped me to share it with others and inspire them to have a go. This has been a real joy for me.

I have also realised through my work this year, that in order to solely use plants that I have grown and gathered, I need to have more dry workshop and storage space.

With this in mind we are in the process of buying a property where I can further develop my creative practice, growing and processing more plants and sharing it with others through gallery space and workshops that help them on their own creative journey.”

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