Each year, the MacArthur Foundation announces its MacArthur Fellows or “Geniuses,” a class of researchers, scientists, artists, entrepreneurs and more who are changing the world through their endless creativity and groundbreaking contributions. And each year, Under the Radar with Callie Crossley highlights New England recipients of the award through its ongoing series “The Genius Next Door.” This is the third installment highlighting the Class of 2025.
When Jeremy Frey was a child, his family didn’t have much. But what they always had were art supplies.
“I used to sit and listen to the radio and draw images with my brother,” Frey said. “I would make him do a game where we’d draw stories back and forth. And that’s one of my earliest memories of doing art was drawing my toys.
It wasn’t until adulthood that he took up the art that would lead to his MacArthur Foundation grant: basketry. It was a practice he took up again after moving back into his mother’s house in his 20s.
Frey, who is a member of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, said at the time that his mother was relearning basket-weaving from an elder in the community, so he decided to learn alongside her. But as he learned the cultural basket-weaving practices, forms and techniques — specifically of fancy baskets, which is what he creates — he started thinking about pushing the limits of the ancient tradition.
“I’ve always done arts, and basketry — by definition in most people’s minds — is a craft,” Frey said. “And I thought, ‘Well, can I make this ancient woodland craft into some form of high art? What would that be, and what will that look like, and how much time will it take?’ That’s always been my goal: to innovate beyond.”
Frey started by shrinking the size of the weave, making it as small as he possibly could. He started experimenting with forms, colors and materials, sometimes creating baskets with bright patterns on the inside that differed from their outside. From afar, his baskets often look like fine china. But up close, observers can see the intricate weaves and details that form Frey’s finished product.
As he thinks about upcoming projects, Frey said he’s interested in working with metals and also expanding his two-dimensional work that includes making prints. As always, he’s looking forward and toward innovation.
“I think that’s one of the reasons that my work resonates with people is because everyone knows what a basket is. And when they can see my work and say, ‘I’ve never seen a basket like that!’ or ‘Is that a basket?’ When you can take something that’s so well known to them and surprise them, it hits you in a certain way. I’m always trying to have my work get a reaction, an emotional response,” he said.
Guest
- Jeremy Frey, visual artist, member of the 2025 MacArthur “Genius” Fellows.
