Stag Trophy Head
several different varieties of naturally coloured willow, 51 x 27 x 28in
Willow Goat Sculpture
boiled and stripped, stripped and unstripped willow varieties
Elvis, Highland Shoulder Mount
several different varieties of naturally coloured willow
Willow Highland Head
boiled and stripped, stripped and unstripped willow varieties, 34 x 24 x 28in
Bob Johnston
Based in Bangor, County Down, Bob Johnston has been creating traditional and contemporary willow baskets, sculptures and living structures since 2000. Initially trained as a textile weaver, Bob has since studied with master basket makers in Armagh, Galway and Villaines les Rochers, France.
His award winning work can be found in the collections of museums, galleries and in the film industry. He takes on private commissions and welcomes you to contact him, with no obligation, to discuss your ideas.
“I create contemporary showpiece willow animal sculptures which are both life-size and realistic. Each piece is woven by hand and completely unique. The sculptures have evolved from the traditional basket weaving techniques I use to produce mummer¹s masks. This process begins by personally growing over 40 different varieties of willow to enable me to choose from a large palette of colours and textures. I carefully select each rod and use a dense, random weave to create form with detail, giving a feeling of movement and injecting a hint of expression. My sculptural work is innovative in that unlike basketry there is no pattern or formula to follow. The sculptures are a creation of aesthetic vision and skill in manipulating a basic willow rod into a thing of beauty and form. My signature is in the detail! I create instantly recognisable animals which are more than simply an outline. They encapsulate movement, expression and always have a hint of personality.”
Collections
The Ulster American Folk Park
The Smithsonian Museum, Washington DC
The Royal Dublin Society
Buckingham Palace
Selected Awards
2009
Royal Dublin Society (RDS) Rod, Rush and Straw Category Winner
Arts Council General Arts Award
2008
The Golden Fleece Award – Merit Winner
2005
Silver Medal Winner – The Garden Show
2004
Queen Elizabeth Scholarship
2003
National Training Award – Northern Ireland Winner
Royal Dublin Society (RDS) Rod, Rush and Straw Category Winner
2002
Royal Dublin Society (RDS) Rod, Rush and Straw Category Winner
Selected Exhibitions
2014
Curious Beasts,Ulster Museum, Belfast
President’s Ball, National Trust Scotland, Castle Fraser, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
2013
Handmade in Britain, London, UK
Spacecraft, Belfast
Craft Central, London, UK
2012
Holland and Holland, London, UK
Fortnum and Mason, London, UK
2011 The Goring Hotel, London, UK
The Ark Cultural Centre, Dublin
2010
Spacecraft, Belfast
Roch Exhibition, Ulster Folk Museum (Touring exhibition)
2009
RDS Showgrounds, Dublin, Ireland (Irish Touring exhibition)
2008
European Baskets, Kilkenny, Ireland (European Touring exhibition)
2007
Folklife Festival, Smithsonian, Washington DC, USA
2006
Pinolere 2006, Tenerife, Canary Islands
2005
Armagh County Museum, Armagh, Northern Ireland (UK Touring exhibition)
Catalan Basketmakers’ Fair, Girona, Spain
The Garden Show, King’s Hall, Belfast
The Atrium Office of Public Works, St Stephen’s Green, Dublin, Ireland
Bluecoat Display Centre, Liverpool, England
2004
The Craft Gallery, Florida, USA
Philadelphia Museum of Art, USA
Craft on the Bay, Cardiff, Wales
Workhouse Museum, Londonderry
National Vlechtmuseum Noordwolde, Netherlands
Callander House, Falkirk, Scotland
2003
West Cork Arts Centre, Cork
Irish Linen Centre, Lisburn, Co. Antrim
National Museum of Country Life, Castlebar, Co. Mayo
Draiocht, Dublin
2002
Linenhall Arts Centre, Co. Mayo
Waterford Arts Centre, Waterford
Fermanagh County Museum
Contact Details:
Bob Johnston
T. +44 (0)77 6259 1100
E. info@bobjohnstonbaskets.co.uk
www.bobjohnstonbaskets.co.uk