Exhibitions

_{Image: Will Gibb, Wool-Fi, 2025.}  

Strong wool, as a category of sheep’s wool, makes up approximately 90% of New Zealand’s total wool production. In contrast to the well-known fine merino fibre, strong wool is characterised by its coarse, thick fibres and is more commonly used in bedding, mattresses, carpets, insulation, and upholstery. Over time, the wool in these applications has been replaced with synthetic alternatives, relegating strong wool to a by-product or waste product of the meat industry. This perception, and a lack of demand, has become a significant problem for New Zealand’s wool growers – it currently costs farmers more to shear their sheep than they are getting for the sale of their wool.

Showcasing 27 emerging industrial designers, this exhibition explores the potential of strong wool across a range of experimental applications, from sound design and acoustics to eco-friendly packaging.