Biography

Debora Muhl is a self taught basket artist from Whitsett, NC, who uses the technique of coiling, in which coils of sweet grass are sewn together with waxed linens or artificial sinew. Her materials of choice are sweet grasses found in various parts of the United States as well as in Canada. All of the grass is gathered, combed & sorted by Native Americans. The grasses are left in their natural state for their sweet aromas. Many of these coiled sculptural baskets begin with an unusual cut-out segment of gourd and are designed in the process of their creation. The resulting basket is a free form sculpture. Muhl began making baskets in 1984, but the challenge of mastering various techniques and materials eventually led her to create one-of-a-kind art pieces. Her work is included in many private collections around the world as well as in the permanent collections of the Mint Museum in Charlotte, N.C., the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Ma., the Fuller Craft Museum in Brockton, Ma., Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris, France and the Racine Art Museum in Racine, Wi. Debora is the recipient of many awards, some of which include: the Fellowship Award from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (2005), “Best of Baskets, Leather & Paper” Award, the American Craft Exposition, Evanston, IL (2002-2003), “Museum Purchase Award” for the Fuller Craft Museum, Craft Boston: Circa Now, Boston (2002), “First Place Award” in Crafts category “Art of the State: Pennsylvania 2001” Pa. State Council on the Arts, and the Fellowship Award from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (2001), “Best of Show” Cherry Creek Arts Festival (1997-1998).

Artist Statement

I am a self- taught basket artist currently residing in Emmaus PA. I employ a technique based on traditional coiling, in which coils of sweet grass are sewn together with waxed linen threads or artificial sinew. My material of choice is sweet grass (hierochloe odorata) which is gathered, combed & sorted by Native Americans in various parts of this country as well as in Canada. The grasses are left in their natural state for their sweet aromas. Some of these coiled sculptures begin on a cut-out segment of gourd and they are all designed in the process as they are made. I began making traditional functional baskets in 1983, but the challenge of mastering my technique and materials has led me to create unique one-of-a-kind art pieces.