Donna S Ireton's Gallery
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Honoring Our Heritage -- Paintings by William Kwamena-Poh and Basketry by Donna Ireton
Artists William Kwamena-Poh and Donna Ireton have chosen to honor their divergent heritages in their exhibit opening with an artist reception on Oct 12 at 5-7pm at the Art League of Hilton Head Gallery. The show runs through Nov 6. For details call 843-681-5060 or visit www.artleaguehhi.org
Artists William Kwamena-Poh and Donna Ireton have chosen to honor their divergent heritages in their exhibit opening with an artist reception on Oct 12 at 5-7pm at the Art League of Hilton Head Gallery. The show runs through Nov 6. For details call 843-681-5060 or visit www.artleaguehhi.org
Donna Ireton is presenting a selection of natural baskets in both traditional and contemporary design, as well as a number of wall hangings and sculptures in modern design and bright color. Ireton encourages people to touch and hold her creations: “They’re made to be touched,” she says, “and the sensual touching experience adds to the visual experience.”
I’ve spent all of my adult life living near either the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans, and all of my spare time in the salt water marshes observing and photographing the birds and wildlife that live or migrate through them. In my thirties, my love of the salt water marsh and marine shores finally led me to earn a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in zoology, majoring in marine biology and animal behavior. Now I strive to portray in all of my creations the many facets of my love for the natural world. I teach pine needle basketry and gourd decorating both privately and at the Hilton Head Art Academy.
Ireton notes that coiled basketry has been around as long as people have been hunters and gatherers. All of Ireton’s pieces are created in honor of our ancestors who made utilitarian pine needle baskets to store food, medicines, clothing and other items. Predating the development of pottery, pine needle baskets were useful containers for almost anything, especially since they can be water-tight. The coiled basketry technique can be used with any material that is flexible enough to bend. There are no upright supports in these baskets--the stitching material gives the basketry its strength and durability.
While many Native Americans created pine needle baskets, Southeastern tribes such as the Seminoles found long leaf pine needles to be especially useful. Ireton collects her needles locally and cleans them in hot soapy water with a touch of bleach. At least half of her creations feature the bright colors obtained using fabric and leather dyes.
This exhibit is a must for Island art aficionados! -- The work of Art League members will also be showing in the Gallery. The Art League of Hilton Head is a not-for-profit membership organization dedicated to promoting and supporting the visual arts. It operates a Gallery for the display and sale of artwork by its members. The Gallery is open Monday-Saturday, 10:00 a.m. till 6:00 p.m. For more information call 843-681-5060 or visit our website www.artleaguehhi.org
Ireton notes that coiled basketry has been around as long as people have been hunters and gatherers. All of Ireton’s pieces are created in honor of our ancestors who made utilitarian pine needle baskets to store food, medicines, clothing and other items. Predating the development of pottery, pine needle baskets were useful containers for almost anything, especially since they can be water-tight. The coiled basketry technique can be used with any material that is flexible enough to bend. There are no upright supports in these baskets--the stitching material gives the basketry its strength and durability.
Donna Ireton - Contemporary Basketry
Local driftwood, manzanita, redwood, cedar, other woods, and local gourds form the base for my colorful, freeform, contemporary pine needle basketry art. Swooping and curvaceous designs accentuate and enhance the beautiful grain, texture, and coloration found in these natural materials. The result is a contemporary basket sculpture of unique shape and design. While some of my creations are small, my largest piece is 6’ X 5’, and hangs in a Spring Island home. These vibrant works are found in many homes and businesses all over the United States and Europe. My baskets won the Environmental Award at the Honey Horn juried art show last year. And at the Beaufort Art Association’s annual Spring Show this year, “Hunting Island Roots” won second place out of 280 entries in all media.