Local Makers pays homage to histories of a small clothing factory in Aparima Riverton, in Te Wai Pounamu the South Island of Aotearoa, from the 1940s–80s. Memories uncovered - scraps brought home to make hats and clothes for loved ones, for example, inspired Daegan Wells’ resulting series of textile works. 


In order to mirror the locally sourced materials and the efforts of the handmade, Wells has used muka, natural dyed linens and wool cultivated from animal to yarn in his home in Murihiku Southland. These works remember, recognise and comment on the changing face of Aotearoa New Zealand’s primary industry and the communities which serviced it.