We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Martha Bird. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Martha below.
Martha, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
Thanks for the great lead-in to our conversation. I’m really happy to be talking with you today and sharing about my art practice. I started doing basketry in the early 1990s as an unexpected way to rehab from an injury I had. As my health improved, I got really excited about the medium and dove into taking classes and exploring all the various weaves. I started attending an art studio program in Minneapolis several years later and because of my regular attendance, I was awarded my first solo exhibition. The community response was overwhelmingly positive, and from there I decided to continue creating and showing art.
I expanded my work nationally when former founder/curator of a Smithsonian gallery, Lloyd Herman, chose my very first sculptural basket to tour the US for a year with the National Basketry Organization (NBO). A mentor told me that part of being an artist is growing a thick skin to tolerate rejection when applying for opportunities. I entered this call thinking just that — a start to hearing ‘no’s — but I was utterly shocked when I was accepted to the exhibition. From there on I had confidence to pursue a career as an artist specializing in sculptural basketry.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I use foundational basketry techniques as a starting point to create expansive conceptual sculptures that both carry forward the traditional craft and challenge its utilitarian assumptions. I make a point to draw from my own professional expertise and life experiences to explore the human body, manifestations of trauma, and concepts of resilience, energy and growth. I’m inspired to use natural fibers as a path to explore the interplay of interior and exterior space, imperfection and presence.
I particularly love working with willow. The process of creating art with this material is complex. It literally takes a year to prepare the materials. I grow and harvest my own willow — six different varieties (colors) each growing to between 6-10 feet tall. I harvest in the winter when it’s dormant and then dry it for a year to prevent shrinkage when I work with it. Then when I’m ready to weave, I soak the rods in a really long soaking tank — 12 feet by 12 inches — for 6-10 days. From there I wrap it in a bed sheet for 24 hours to facilitate further water absorption through a process called “mellowing.” Finally I can then begin the weaving process. The tricky part is that I have to use the soaked willow within a week, as it starts drying right away and cannot be used after drying this second time. Most people don’t realize what goes into making just one sculpture.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
At points in my life, I became educated as a Public Health and Board Certified Holistic RN. The knowledge and experience I gained influences my own art. In addition to my solo practice it’s important to me to work with the community and empower people to follow THEIR passion and include it in their life, so they can be as well and healthy as possible.
I’m a big goal-setter. My long-term art goal is to first exhibit my sculptures in the Minneapolis Institute of Art in the Minnesota Artist Exhibition Program. My desire is for this to lead to showing my spirals in the Guggenheim in NYC. My personal mission is documenting my life’s journey through the physical existence of the artwork I create.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
Oh gosh, there are so many rewarding aspects of being an artist. A big one is when I complete an artwork, and I’m joyfully surprised by the outcome. Because my artwork serves loosely as a form of memoir, I can point to something I’ve made and say, “Yes, that’s it.” I live with PTSD that creates daily challenges, and my art practice is so fulfilling and gratifying that it provides “the hook” to stay engaged with life. Another rewarding aspect is sharing my work with the community and hearing their response to it. I have listened to how it inspires their creativity and prompts their own memories and associations. Their delight encourages me to continue making and sharing my artwork.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.marthabirdart.com
- Instagram: @marthabirdart
- Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/marthabirdart
Image Credits
Martha Bird Rik Sferra