Tondo "The Breath of Life"

Judith's journey with weaving began in childhood, sitting beside her grandmother who wove baskets by touch after losing her sight. 

More than 30 years ago, Judith and husband Richard created 'Wild Baskets' - Judith as the weaver and Richard as the 'hunter-gatherer'. Their practice grew from a shared love of native bushland and a passion for repurposing discarded materials. Together, they joined conservation groups, clearing invasive vines and experimenting with incorporating them into their weaving. 

Having learned traditional fibre techniques from a woman with experience in New Guinea, Judith now cultivates many weaving plants in hers and Richard’s Diamond Valley garden. 

Currently studying Visual Arts at TAFE, Judith has discovered a newfound love of clay. By incorporating ceramics into her weaving, she continues to deepen her connection to earth, fibre, creativity, and mental well-being.

Woven onto a discarded fan guard, this work explores breath and rhythm. Using plant fibres from my garden and local bushland, I wove them mindfully around a ceramic disc. The fan shape evokes the quiet rhythm of breathing - each strand representing a moment of focus and healing. 'The Breath of Life' reflects my connection to nature, memory, and ritual, becoming a meditation on resilience, renewal, and the grounding strength I find through creating.