Andreja Benedejcic Country: New Zealand Artist Discipline: Drawing/ Illustration, Textile/ Weaving Instagram: @carpet___diem_ Website: carpetdiem.org

Andreja Benedejčič is a multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans drawing, illustration, and textile weaving, with a particular focus on woolen tapestries created using a tufting machine. Her work is deeply rooted in slow craft and analogue processes, emphasizing tactile engagement and sensory experience in an increasingly digital world. Drawing inspiration from mythology, natural cycles, folk traditions, dreams, and psychology, Andreja weaves these themes into visual narratives that invite reflection and connection. Her approach is both intuitive and rooted in formal training in architecture and visual arts, resulting in hand-made pieces that embody a profound dialogue between inner visions and materiality.

Born and raised in the natural landscape of Slovenia's Soča Valley, Andreja's art journey is fueled by a desire for freedom and self-expression beyond conservative norms. At Driving Creek, she hopes to develop a rug that captures the 'sensible chaos' of nature — the patterns of water, ocean ripples, and shorelines — creating a visual language that resonates with the surrounding environment. She is also eager to connect with local wool sources in New Zealand, as the wool she has previously worked with originates from here. Through this residency, Andreja aims to deepen her relationship with nature and craft, fostering an inspiring and tactile art experience that encourages community connection and creative awakening.

Rebecca Mackenzie Country: New Zealand Artist Discipline: Painting, Drawing/ Illustration Instagram: —

Rebecca Mackenzie is a New Zealand-based artist working primarily in painting and drawing, with an expanding interest in clay as a medium. Her creative practice integrates multiple mediums to explore colour, form, and the interplay of light and dark, all within a framework that emphasizes rhythm and beauty. Rebecca’s work carries a therapeutic intention, aiming to inspire and guide tangata whaiora—those seeking wellness—towards healing and self-determination. Through her art, she strives to make ideas and knowledge visible and accessible, fostering an uplifting experience that supports wellbeing and recovery.

As an artistic therapist engaged in both private practice and kaupapa Māori NGO work, Rebecca approaches her residency at Driving Creek with a desire to deepen her own creative practice and further develop therapeutic concepts. Inspired by the legend of Driving Creek, introduced to her by mentor Helen Mason, she is eager to immerse herself in the unique environment and kaupapa of the residency. During her five weeks at Driving Creek, staying at the Mouse House, Rebecca hopes to expand her experience working with clay while using the residency’s time and space to refine her approach to healing through art.

Sarah Harrison Country: New Zealand Artist Discipline: Pottery/ Ceramics, Mixed Media Instagram: @potty_sarah

Sarah Harrison is a seasoned ceramic artist based in New Zealand, whose practice spans pottery, ceramics, and mixed media. Working predominantly on the wheel with stoneware and porcelain, she fires her pieces to cone 10 using both gas and wood-fired kilns, allowing for a rich interplay of textures and finishes. Sarah has developed a unique palette featuring ash and papa glazes, which contribute to her quirky and expressive style evident in both her high-fired domesticware and sculptural forms. Her creative approach is deeply influenced by her long-standing engagement with the national wood firing community and her studio, Shoal Bay Pottery, on Great Barrier Island, where she has crafted her work for over three decades.

Returning to Driving Creek after her initial residency in 2021, Sarah is eager to reconnect with the special environment and collaborative spirit of the place. She values the communal workshop setting for its exchange of ideas and technical knowledge, which has helped her nurture many national and international relationships. During her four-week residency, she plans to develop a small body of work that responds to the unique surroundings and the current cohort, aiming to deepen her artistic exploration while contributing to and drawing inspiration from the vibrant community at Driving Creek.

Simon Horton UK Country: United Kingdom Artist Discipline: Pottery/ Ceramics Instagram: @simon.horton.pots Website: simonhortonceramics.co.uk

Simon Horton is a potter based in Oxfordshire, UK, whose practice centers on the creation of stoneware pots through a variety of techniques. His work is characterized by a strong emphasis on form, drawing inspiration from medieval slipware, early Chinese and Korean ceramics, and the 20th-century studio tradition. Simon develops his own glazes through extensive experimentation, often incorporating found and foraged materials such as wood ash and local clays to create a distinct connection between his pots and their environment. Most of his pieces are wheel-thrown with a focus on repetition throwing, which allows him to refine and approach an ideal form, even if it remains elusive. His firing methods include reduction firing in self-built gas kilns and occasional wood firings, reflecting his dedication to traditional ceramic processes.

Simon is drawn to the Driving Creek residency to immerse himself in a new environment and foster cultural exchange between UK and New Zealand potters, inspired by the surrounding landscape and local ceramic traditions. He aims to dedicate focused time to exploring specific forms, particularly the teapot, with the goal of creating pieces that feel uniquely his own yet responsive to the Driving Creek setting. Beyond the artistic process, Simon values the opportunity to connect with fellow residents and staff, engaging in conversations about clay, pottery, and creative practice to invigorate his work and break the insular nature of his usual studio routine. This residency represents a vital chance for Simon to expand his influences and deepen his engagement with ceramics in a nurturing, collaborative environment.

Kaiqi Qiu Country: New Zealand Artist Discipline: Pottery/ Ceramics, Sculpture/ Carving Instagram: @studio.qi_

Kaiqi Qiu is a New Zealand-based artist whose ceramic and sculptural practice draws deeply from the organic forms and subtle textures of nature, particularly the fluid dynamics of water. Her work, crafted through a combination of wheel throwing, coiling, surface carving, and selective glazing, captures the continuous evolution and adaptability observed in natural environments. Influenced by her Chinese heritage and a meditative engagement with clay, Kaiqi’s vessels and sculptural pieces express themes of fluidity and transformation, inviting contemplation on human connection to place and self. Her practice balances functional pottery with sculptural exploration, emphasizing texture and pattern to evoke movement and life within each form.

Kaiqi’s journey with pottery began just before the global pandemic, during which she transformed her garden shed into a dedicated studio space. Since then, she has deepened her craft through mentorship and apprenticeship, including a three-month residency at Dryburgh Pottery and active involvement in Auckland Studio Potters. Having previously participated in a workshop at Driving Creek, she found inspiration in the community and environment, and hopes to further develop her water-themed sculptures during her residency. She also aims to expand her knowledge of wood and soda firing techniques, refine her functional pottery, and embrace the vibrant culture at Driving Creek by fostering connections with fellow artists, enriching both her creative process and personal growth.

Tara Luty Country: New Zealand Artist Discipline: Painting, Drawing/ Illustration, Mixed Media Instagram: @taraeluty Website: taraluty.com

Tara Luty is a New Zealand-based artist whose practice is deeply rooted in painting, drawing, and mixed media. Her work investigates the complex relationships between humans, non-humans, and environments by using natural and found materials transformed into various painting media such as oil paint, watercolour, and charcoal. Through both abstract and figurative compositions, she foregrounds the materiality of her media, inviting active collaboration with the environments she engages with. Tara’s art often responds to site-specific research, embedding layered cultural and natural histories by sourcing pigments from local materials and returning works to their places of origin, emphasizing reciprocity and challenging conventional gallery contexts.

During her residency at Driving Creek, Tara aims to deepen her connection with ecological care by refining her material processes, including harvesting natural pigments and experimenting with natural dyeing. She looks forward to learning pottery techniques, particularly those related to uku harvesting and the tikanga that surrounds it, which will enrich her interdisciplinary approach. The residency offers Tara valuable time and space to immerse herself in iterative making while engaging with the creative community at Driving Creek. She hopes this experience will foster meaningful artistic exchange and support the conservation efforts of the site, allowing her to contribute to its rich legacy and ongoing mahi.

Davey Marshall has cultivated a deeply intuitive pottery practice over the past fifteen years, working primarily with local clay fired in a driftwood salt and soda kiln. His approach embraces the materials at hand, allowing the natural qualities of clay and kiln to guide his creative process. Davey’s work is characterized by small-scale forms that reflect their origins, shaped by a philosophy of listening and responding to the environment. He often experiments with the interplay between clay and firing techniques, continually exploring what each element prefers and how they harmonize within the kiln’s intimate space.

At Driving Creek, Davey seeks to continue his exploration of place-based materials and processes, deepening his understanding of how local clay and firing methods can inform his pottery. The residency offers a unique opportunity to engage closely with the landscape and resources, aligning perfectly with his practice of working with what is most available and resonant. Through this time at Driving Creek, Davey hopes to refine his dialogue between clay and kiln, creating pieces that not only express their making but also carry a sense of belonging to their specific environment.