Withy Lore exhibition - Truro

Our Withy Lore exhibition at Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery is almost over and ends on the 30th June 2025, but fear not! we also have a few future plans we will share with you soon :)

In case you don't know, Withy Lore is a project that explores the critically endangered craft of withy pot making, celebrating the community of makers past and present and preserving its heritage for the future. This exhibition gives visitors a chance to plunge themselves into a world of willow!

Once a common sight around the South-West coast, withy pots are a centuries old means of catching crab and lobster, largely made from willow. Today, only a handful of withy pot makers remain and the craft is classed as endangered on the Heritage Crafts Red List. Storylines and myself are grateful to have spent time with some of the last remaining makers, documenting their connection to withy pots.

Whether journeying by ferry from the Isles of Scilly, or motorbike from the North of Cornwall, withy pots have been travelling from far and wide to become part of the exhibition, sparking many interesting conversations along their journey. The exhibition offers a rare opportunity to see these varying styles in one place.

(I wonder if my children will remember some of these adventures when they are older!)

Withy pots were traditionally woven by fishermen each winter, with knowledge and skills passed down the generations. Cast into the sea from spring, withy pots typically only lasted one season before breaking down to leave no trace. This cycle, so in tune with nature's seasonal rhythms, became broken with the introduction of modern plastic and metal pots during the late 20th century. The craft and its heritage is quickly fading and we feel a great sense of urgency to continue to document and share the craft, using art to communicate our finds.

We are very grateful to those who have contributed not only their withy pots, but also for sharing their knowledge, skills, support and enthusiasm with us. We have shared their stories in various forms including film, audio and art.

With thanks to funding raised by National Lottery players through the National Lottery Heritage Fund, as well as grants from FEAST Cornwall, Cornwall Community Foundation, the St.Aubyn Foundation and the Fishmongers Company, the project has worked with people of all ages including school children from Marazion Primary School and students from Cornwall College. Bryony Robins, Co-Director at Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery, commented: "We're thrilled to have Withy Lore as part of our diverse programme of exhibitions here at the recent reopening of the museum. The themes it addresses interact brilliantly with our reimagined Nature Gallery and Kurt Jackson's exhibition Biodiversity. Feedback from visitors echoes the love and care which has gone into the creation of the inspiring installation, and it's particularly gratifying to overhear cross-generational conversations taking place in the gallery about this endangered craft."