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Iceland Artist in Residence: Evolving Research of Sheepskin, Hides, Wool.



After the initial 2016 immersive research endeavor at the Hafnarfjörður Centre, I continued exploring the material histories of Icelandic and its resources. The sheep of Iceland, the wool, and sheepskins were part of this exploration, both in their raw states and their finished hide versions. The wool and sheepskins can be found in many places throughout Iceland and is a resource for many, especially for those making clothing.

     Icelandic sheep are known for their versatile wool, which consists of two distinct fibers: a fine, soft inner coat called þel and a long, water-repellent outer coat called tog. The fibers can be used separately or spun together into lopi, a soft, insulating yarn. Icelandic wool is considered warm, breathable, and durable.

     This breed, descended from sheep brought by Vikings over 1,000 years ago, has a pronounced double coat, making it particularly adaptable for various uses. Icelandic sheep are part of the North European Short Tailed type, related to other northern breeds like Finnsheep and Shetland.

These projects focus on a studio-based approach, experimenting with wool and sheepskins as a way to visualize a potential wall or surface. The photographs depict the different states of the wool and the process of making different wall types and arrangements, ultimately leading to two different art installations with the material.


































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