Simone Bensdorp is a textile artist based in Ōtautahi Christchurch. She creates playful and practical works with felted wool, plant dyes and inks, and other nature inspired craft practices. Her work is grounded by a philosophy of resourcefulness, using local, repurposed and sustainable materials wherever possible. Simone's recent work explores how a sense of place can inform creative practice. She is passionate about keeping traditional craft skills alive, while continuing to expand and push boundaries with contemporary techniques. 

 

Simone's work has been exhibitied in group and solo shows, including Changing Threads (National Contemporary Textile Art Awards) and Urban Earth (2020 Solo Exhibition). She has a passion for using textiles to transform spaces big and small, including the Ohu Installation in a corporate boardroom. More recently she has undertaken a creative residency at Rekindle to further develop her craft practice and design a new series of resourceful craft workshops. 

 

Simone is an experienced teacher and  facilitator with a contagious enthusiasm for creativity. Her workshops are fun, inclusive hands-on and suitable for all experience levels. She currently teaches at Rekindle, and is also available for private workshops.