Ah, New Zealand. It is a hardy land. I am on north island in the Lake Taupo region on a large sheep and cattle farm called Te Hapua, and staying with the wonderful Truebridge family. The place where I rest my head is a campervan and my studio is the wool shed and paddocks. I am in heaven using the materials I find on the farm to create an installation of wool. But it is much more than that. It is watching the dogs rustle up the sheep from the hill paddocks in the early morning, witnessing the slaughter of our Easter lamb, or enjoying the dinner conversation of sharing the differences and similarities of our countries and lifestyles.
My first few days here have been about shaking hands with the environment and sussing out materials and design.
