Cherry Chung
Category of work:
Basketry and willow sculpture
Describe your work in one sentence:
I use willow and willow bark mainly, to make living and non-living sculptures and baskets, as bespoke commissions, as teaching, and as projects with groups.
Why do you do it?
I enjoy getting my head around practical problem solving, and a new piece of work generally has at least one unknown. I’ve come around to thinking that I must like uncertainty. I really relish learning new skills, sometimes that’s a weaving technique I’m trying for the first time, and sometimes it’s simply a little aha moment. I also enjoy the diversity of my practice, being able to make and also to teach. It’s good for my own learning and great when someone else gets it. I love that when I make a basket, it’s pretty much using the same techniques and materials that stone age people would have used to make baskets too. Basically, I’m using something to cut, something to split, and something to bash down the weave!
What keeps you going (what’s your GRIT)?
Knowing that there is so much more to learn and explore!
What advice would you give to somebody wanting to become a ‘creative’?
Enjoy what you are doing and keep on doing it. I think you only ‘become a creative’ by creating and honing your practice. Accept opportunities that take you beyond what you think you are capable of because it will force you to learn a lot, and very quickly. You’ll gain new skills, and confidence in your capabilities to take things on in the future.
Tell us something unusual about yourself.
My background is in conservation, and it was a happenchance as a volunteer after graduating that I stumbled into basket making and it chimed with a lifelong love for beautifully crafted things. I was leading volunteers in conservation tasks and vaguely aiming for a career as a countryside ranger, so if you need a hedge laying, or some chainsaw work let me know.
Website and social media handles:
My website is cherrychung.com, on Instagram I’m @cherry.chung.willowartist, and you can email me at cherry.chung@btinternet.com