The Baba Tree Basket Company in Ghana have been preserving the craft of basket-weaving from the Gurunsi community in Bolgatanga for the last 15 years. Over 250 artisans practise the time-honoured handweaving technique using elephant grass. Each basket comes directly from the hands of the artisan weavers, meaning each is unique.
The Scottish Gallery were thrilled to receive such a wonderful selection of baskets, wall pieces and fans for our Line Weaving exhibition this January.
Founder Gregory MacCarthy started weaving stories with baskets a few years after he first took steps in Ghana in 1999 with the significant understanding that good design can and will change people’s lives. The Baba Tree Basket Company continues this ongoing commitment to the artisan weavers they collaborate with through the progressive creation of sustainable jobs, fair and meaningful work and true social impact in the local community.
Gregory MacCarthyAlready we have seen so much positive change and progress in our time on the ground in Bolgatanga, a remote town in the Upper East Region of Ghana.. otherwise known as 'the city of baskets'.
Gregory MacCarthyOur original desire to celebrate the creativity and excellence of the Gurunsi people has never felt more significant as we continue to focus on creating income earning opportunities for the Gurunsi artisans we collaborate with and a global marketplace to celebrate their incredible craftsmanship. Honouring local basket traditions and creating exciting forms with the oldest craft in the world is what we do best!
You can see The Baba Tree Basket Company’s wonderful baskets as part of the Line Weaving exhibition in the Gallery until the 29th January 2022. You can also view the exhibition online here.
