Jed Gillian, widely known as "The Willow Man," was a highly respected Tasmanian artisan, master basketmaker, and educator renowned for his extensive knowledge and cultivation of basketry willow. Tragically, he passed away peacefully on 21 July 2026 at the age of 77 following a prolonged hospital stay.
He left behind a profound legacy within the Australian and international basketry communities, remembered as much for his warm, generous nature as for his masterful craftsmanship.Legacy and Contributions to BasketryMaster
Craftsman & Educator: For decades, Jed taught traditional willow basketry techniques across Australia. His extensive teaching history included highly regarded workshops for organizations like the Basketmakers of Victoria and the Basketmakers of Tasmania.
His workshops covered complex projects ranging from traditional willow laundry baskets to specialized weaving techniques.
Willow Cultivation: Beyond weaving, Jed was a vital supplier of quality basketry willow. He dedicated significant effort to growing, harvesting, and processing willow varieties, generously supplying materials for courses across the country—including material for specialized community coffin-weaving workshops.
Community Pilllar: He was a mainstay at national craft gatherings, including the National Basketry Gathering in Tasmania, where he was celebrated for sharing his historical knowledge of willow-weaving traditions, such as analyzing the lineage of traditional Italian and English border styles found in historic Australian baskets.
Celebration of Life Following his passing in July 2026, the basketmaking community and his family, including Jeltje and Minka Gillian, hosted a casual community gathering on 8 August 2026 at the Collinsvale War Memorial Hall in Tasmania. In a fitting tribute to his iconic personal style, attendees were invited to wear striped T-shirts in his honour.
