For over thirty years, Virginia Kaiser has been creating fibre baskets and objects influenced by the colours, textures and forms of the Australian landscape.  The artist is interested not only in the physical make-up of the land, but also its intrinsic meaning and origins.  Using traditional basket weaving techniques, Virginia draws her inspiration from nature in all its simplicity and imperfection, exploring our presence on the land as well as the natural phenomena that continually affect the landscape.  Since moving to Broken Hill in outback NSW five years ago, Virginia’s work has expanded to fill the vast landscape and the expansive sky.  She observes the deep red dirt, the shimmering heat of Summer and the calming flow of the Darling River.  Virginia collects her materials from her immediate environment - on walks around her town, from her garden and from friends.  Her work conveys how a deep and thoughtful understanding of our environment leads to an emotional connection with it.  Virginia’s appreciation for what lies beyond the city centres has earned her a reputation as an artist who superbly communicates the experience of regional landscapes.

Virginia has been exhibiting widely in Australia and overseas in both solo and group exhibitions since 1982.. She has been awarded several grants from the Visual Arts/Crafts Board of the Australia Council  including an Artist in Residence in Los Angeles.  Her work was acquired both in the Presiding Officer’s Centenary Acquisitive Craft Prize at Parliament House, Canberra, in 2001 and the Sculpture Prize for the Stanthorpe Arts Festival in 2002 .  Virginia’s work is represented in many collections including the National Gallery of Australia, Art Gallery of South Australia and Powerhouse Museum.