EMMA SHEPHERD — Weaving on Yaygir, Yuraygir, or Yaegl country. October, 2023

“Weaving is a ritual of actions, learned from those who came before. Remembered through repetition.”

Our latest artist in residence, Emma Shepherd, travelled from Mornington Peninsula to visit Boketto in October, during the final weeks of Spring.

Emma took her time to travel along the east coast, pausing overnight to camp under a canopy of trees or beside waterfalls. This thoughtful and considered approach is also very much reflected in her weaving practice.

Weaving is methodical. Yet, amidst this methodical process, there exists a breathtaking beauty in the way Emma handles the materials and inserts meaning into her weaves — Emma draws not only from the materials, but from her surroundings, capturing this in her pieces. Her art becomes a language of its own, telling stories.

*Horsehair from Emma’s horse, ramie fishnet from her travels in Japan, Mohair (gifted) and Linen from Lithuania that dates back to 1923.*

*The smaller weave gently intertwines mohair and linen, with native grasses collected from Boketto.*

*Emma weaving on an handmade brass loom in the* *living space of Boketto.*

As we waited for film to be developed, we had a chance to delve into Emma’s visit and reflect more on her practice, as well as her collective experience alongside two other friends/artists, Bri Horne and Layla Bulmer that joined her during the week long stay at Boketto.

The essence of this residency was to move freely, be guided by Yuraygir at her doorstep.

How did you spend your days at Boketto?

“I woke up with the light, the sun filtered through the banksia tree outside the window and cast the most beautiful shadows and colours. Moving to the kitchen, we would convene around the coffee pot while watching the whales. Days were spent weaving, sharing ideas with Bri and Leyla, taking the time to stop and breathe.”

Shadows brooms head — *Morning shadows of the Banksia tree on the curtains in the main bedroom. Photography by* *Bri Horne*

We also asked whether the space influenced your practice?

For me, it felt like a timely and pertinent reminder to observe the world more deeply, especially in those in between moments. To look up and out across the Yuraygir National Park to the ocean while the kettle boils. To allow the mind to wander. It’s easy in a place so spectacularly beautiful! I really hope to take this energy, this presence back home.

Unexpected outcomes?

The joy and inspiration of being around other artists! I work alone in my studio, which I do love, but it was a magical and expansive experience to share it with others. To see how they worked, and also the way abstract ideas can be talked through when the time is there. I was open minded about what I would create, just bringing along materials I thought would resonate with the space and land, and it was a pleasure to weave without expectation, pressure, purpose.