We live in a world that everything is woven into another.
I feel connected to natural materials. It is an inexpressible communication when I harvest them, process them and work with them. “What would you like to be?” I ask. In silence they deliver me the beautiful answer in the shape, the texture, the structure of the works they become.
My journey started with learning weaving in Kyoto, Japan after quitting my job in Hong Kong. I’ve been intrigued by woven structures since then, so I moved to London and studied textile design for a year, and then completed a MA in traditional arts. Basketry came in to my life at that time too, and I learnt to work with willow, rush and rattan. It opened a new world of natural materials to me, since when I’ve been dedicating to discovering local materials and their specific weaving techniques wherever I live or travel . After moving to the United States, I’ve happily encountered with broom making with broom corns; spending the winter in Spain, now I’m diving into the world of esparto (their local grass) with which so many beautiful baskets including a special snail basket with a beautiful spiral form. I believe the connection with woven structures and natural materials will lead me to them in various places over the world and I feel more than blessed to take their hands.
Didi Wu
Feb 2024