Woven Sculpture for Modern Contemporary Rustic Decor
Matt Tommey making art basket for use in modern rustic decor.
Basketry artist Matt Tommey has been making his one-of-a-kind art baskets since the early 1990's. Early in his career, he was drawn to using kudzu vine and many other southern invasive plant species like grapevine, honeysuckle, bittersweet and mimosa trees.
For over 21 years now, one of the hallmarks of Matt's work has been his ability to 'speak the language of natural materials' and combine a variety of locally harvested natural materials into his work. This creates a wonderfully natural aesthetic that is all his own and perfectly accents the modern rustic decor aesthetic.
The inspiration for most of Matt's hand woven art baskets comes from nature. Matt often says that "Every Basket Begins with a Walk in the Woods" because it's there that he not only collects materials from which to weave, but also the inspiration to reflect the beauty of the natural world in his hand woven baskets. Just like rocks, trees and branches in nature, each one of his art baskets are unique.
Click on the images below to see more of Matt's art baskets. Also click here for a current inventory of art baskets available for purchase.
For over 21 years now, one of the hallmarks of Matt's work has been his ability to 'speak the language of natural materials' and combine a variety of locally harvested natural materials into his work. This creates a wonderfully natural aesthetic that is all his own and perfectly accents the modern rustic decor aesthetic.
The inspiration for most of Matt's hand woven art baskets comes from nature. Matt often says that "Every Basket Begins with a Walk in the Woods" because it's there that he not only collects materials from which to weave, but also the inspiration to reflect the beauty of the natural world in his hand woven baskets. Just like rocks, trees and branches in nature, each one of his art baskets are unique.
Click on the images below to see more of Matt's art baskets. Also click here for a current inventory of art baskets available for purchase.
Hand Woven Baskets in Modern Rustic Decor
As with any home design, the details really do make the room. Modern rustic decor and more traditional rustic lodge decor both contain similar hallmarks of wood finishes, stone, natural fiber accents and wide open floor plans. More modern takes on the traditional rustic lodge design feature more modern fabrics and finishes that are not nearly as heavy or overbearing as in years past. However, in either setting hand woven baskets with a natural aesthetic make a fabulous accent to any space.
One of the hallmarks of Matt Tommey's hand woven baskets are their use of traditional techniques with very non-traditional materials like vines, bark, metal, wax and clay. His modern interpretation of traditional basketry forms, nested in branches or coupled with shiny finishes make them the perfect complement for homes who employ modern rustic decor.
Each one of Matt's hand woven baskets are meticulously created using the best available locally harvested material. Since each piece of bark, each vine, each branch is completely different, you are assured to have a one-of-a-kind art basket that will beautifully accent your space.
Click on the images above to see more of Matt's hand woven baskets. Also click here for a current inventory of art baskets available for purchase.
One of the hallmarks of Matt Tommey's hand woven baskets are their use of traditional techniques with very non-traditional materials like vines, bark, metal, wax and clay. His modern interpretation of traditional basketry forms, nested in branches or coupled with shiny finishes make them the perfect complement for homes who employ modern rustic decor.
Each one of Matt's hand woven baskets are meticulously created using the best available locally harvested material. Since each piece of bark, each vine, each branch is completely different, you are assured to have a one-of-a-kind art basket that will beautifully accent your space.
Click on the images above to see more of Matt's hand woven baskets. Also click here for a current inventory of art baskets available for purchase.
Modern Sculpture Rooted in Tradition
Replicas of prehistoric hand woven baskets
"Although my baskets have a modern aesthetic, they are most definitely rooted in traditional design and technique. That's what I love about basketry. So many of the techniques and traditions we have in making hand woven baskets haven't changed in thousands of years. Yet, it's the innovation of each artist using traditional techniques and melding them with fresh ideas and materials that keeps contemporary sculptural basketry so exciting for both makers and collectors."
Matt continues saying "So much of the inspiration from the organic, freeform shapes and the interesting finishes with clay, wax and natural pigments I incorporate into my hand woven baskets come from looking at the work of other makers from hundreds of years gone by. Great design and execution doesn't change over time. What was beautiful 1000 years ago is still beautiful today!"
Matt continues saying "So much of the inspiration from the organic, freeform shapes and the interesting finishes with clay, wax and natural pigments I incorporate into my hand woven baskets come from looking at the work of other makers from hundreds of years gone by. Great design and execution doesn't change over time. What was beautiful 1000 years ago is still beautiful today!"
Artists Who Create Modern Rustic Decor
Here in Western North Carolina where Matt Tommey has his studio and gallery, there is such a rich community of artists and artisans from around the country who enjoy creating special pieces of functional and non-functional art for their clients. Like Matt, many Asheville artists blur the lines of art and craft, function and sculpture. That's really the fun of what many people call modern rustic decor; taking rustic items like baskets, pottery, textiles and wood and incorporating them into contemporary home settings. Find out more about how Matt creates beautiful sculptural basket installations for the fireplace mantel.
If you're looking for more artists who create beautiful art that supports your love of modern rustic decor then please take a moment to get to know the artists of the WNC Design Guide. This group of 24 artists, of which Matt Tommey is a member, is a curated group of some of Western North Carolina's finest artists. Their group spans the creative mediums of sculptural basketry, ceramics, furniture, glass, paintings, textiles and wood. Find out more about them at www.wncdesignguide.com
If you're looking for more artists who create beautiful art that supports your love of modern rustic decor then please take a moment to get to know the artists of the WNC Design Guide. This group of 24 artists, of which Matt Tommey is a member, is a curated group of some of Western North Carolina's finest artists. Their group spans the creative mediums of sculptural basketry, ceramics, furniture, glass, paintings, textiles and wood. Find out more about them at www.wncdesignguide.com