Well, I’,m a bit over the moon with a successful application to Curtin Springs Paper in NT for a Artist in Residency program next year. Over the many years that I’ve been working at my craft, I’ve always found residency programs difficult to secure but perhaps I was saving up for all of the good ones. This one is probably one of the best on the planet. Curtin Springs is a working cattle station 85k east of Yulara and four hours from Alice Springs on the Lasseter Highway in the Northern Territory of Australia. It is home to the Severin family who continue the station today.

Last year when I went to Uluru and Darwin we stopped off at Curtin Springs.  In the Wayside Inn I was hunting around for something made in the area, as usual. It’s an eternal quest around Australia, and I have to check that Made in China isn’t hiding somewhere.  In this quite far away stop I didn’t expect anything…but I found it! Handmade paper from the land, the spinefex,  local plants and vegetation. I was thrilled to buy some paper which was made right there.

When I got home the AIR opportunity crossed my desk loom and wham! I was straight into it’s application. So fortunate to get this opportunity in 2019. I know it’s a far time away but I am really looking forward to it and the long 6000k return drive up the road.

Amee Porter is the resident artist at Curtin Springs, specialising in Curtin Springs papermaking and art jewellery. The residency will allow me to work with her and bring my looms.  The country in central Australia is astounding. The vegetation and fawna along with the enormous history of the place leaves me withered and small – a good thing! I’m so lucky to be part of Australia.