An investigation of the New Zealand woolshed through textile design process for interior textile and surface application : an exegesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Design, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand

Abstract

Situated within textile design, this research explores early New Zealand woolsheds built between 1880 and 1920, that are found in various states of disrepair. Centred around Tora Station, a woolshed typical of those built during this era, I am using textiles as a way to interpret this built artefact and its immediate environment. My firsthand experience of this site, together with extensive research into the social and cultural history of the woolshed conceptually informs and visually inspires a series of textile and surface applications. A sensitive translation of the woolshed’s external and internal spatial and material qualities has been made through textile design processes such as laser cutting, sandblasting, screen printing and weave. These processes have assisted to emulate and embody qualities of the decaying woolshed and imbued a tactile and visual language into a collection of contemporary interior textiles.