‘SPRANG’ – bringing the past to life with Hilary Burns
Sprang is an ancient, early textile technique. It is a method of fabric construction, hardly encountered now, except in museum collections. A type of stretchy netting, held in a framework, made by the action of both hands and fingers moving through the warp, crossing the threads. There is no weft. It could be understood as a wide piece of braiding. The netted fabric appears simultaneously at both the top and bottom of the framework. In the past it was used for hairnets, found by archaeologists preserved in mud, also stockings, and in some cultures for the making of string bags.
In this workshop, participants will learn the hand movements, good for dexterity and brain plasticity. They will make a piece of sprang, using a ready-made warp from natural fibre, strung on a willow framework. This will be handmade by Hilary in advance, using material from her willow beds. All the materials you will need are provided, but participants are welcome to bring additional materials to customise their work. Suitable for this are thin flat elements that can be threaded through the net structure, and that are robust enough to keep their shape, for example strips of heavy paper/fine plant materials, such as strap-like leaves
Final Project: A unique piece of sprang suitable to be hung as a wall-piece.
Duration: 3 hours
Maximum 12 people
May 11th: time 10.30
Cost per person: 150 €
About the tutor
Hilary Burn’s first training was in knitted and woven textiles, she loves the complexities of warp, weft, twill and double cloth. Nearly forty years ago she began studying basketmaking, finding new ways to construct three dimensional forms. She is known for her work in willow, many different varieties of which she grows organically in Devon, in the far south-west of the UK, alongside an interest in bark, bast and fibre processing. Her contemporary-styled work is based on traditional basketmaking and green woodwork techniques. As well as making, she promotes her craft by curating, writing, and teaching. Recent adventures in sprang arose from a collaborative project between academics: mathematicians and anthropologists – and basketmakers, exploring their disciplines together.
@hilaryburnsbasketmaker
