#growop2016

[boxheadd]

Got to see some great installations last night at the Gladstone's 4th annual Grow Op event. Lovely works that deal with #urbanagriculture #landscapearchitecture #heritage and #environment. My friends worked really hard to produce wonderful pieces for this show. Check it out! Runs till Sunday evening. #GROWOP2016 (at Gladstone Hotel)

[dwyer-wood]

I love the way the sunlight slips through the willow and dapples the seat. #GrowOp2016 #gladstonehotel

[dwyer-wood]

Finished the willow chair. The piece is called "Unbroken By Nature" because the willow gives the rickety old "garbage" chair structure and strength through its embrace. #gladstonehotel #GrowOp2016

[dwyer-wood]

Almost done the willow chair. My fingers are like little prunes from working with the wet willow for hours. Time for a little treat by the fire, Apple Brandy from @ironworksdistillery #GrowOp2016 #gladstonehotel

[dwyer-wood]

Giving the willow a "pod" shape requires tying the top and sides into the correct form while the willow is wet. The end result will be that the person sits on a man made chair yet is embraced by nature. The strength of the willow also "rescues" the chair from becoming garbage. The concept is called Unbroken By Nature. #GrowOp2016 #gladstonehotel @gladstonehotel

[dwyer-wood]

The main willow rods are in place, anchored behind the chair rails and the weaving begins. I'm using the "willow" filter for these posts as it seems appropriate. #GrowOp2016 #gladstonehotel @gladstonehotel

[dwyer-wood]

One of my concepts has been selected as part of #GrowOp2016 at The Gladstone Hotel in Toronto. Ever since I took the willow basket weaving course, I've envisioned weaving it onto an old, rickety chair as quite often the form of the chair, with rails and back, is the perfect 3D frame for weaving. I submitted the concept of taking an old chair, that I found in the garbage, and giving it renewed strength by weaving willow around it. Step one, soak the willow to make it pliable. Actually, step one, build a trough because the willow was too big for my bathtub, not to mention that it has to soak for a week and there simply isn't enough room in the tub for me and five bundles of willow. @gladstonehotel #gladstonehotel