Claire Inkson reviews Woolsheds: The historic shearing sheds of Aotearoa New Zealand by Annette O’Sullivan and Jane Ussher for Ashburton Guardian:
‘Design historian Annette O'Sullivan and esteemed photographer Jane Ussher have immortalised fifteen of New Zealand's most iconic woolsheds in the hardcover book 'Woolsheds - The Historic Shearing Sheds of Aotearoa New Zealand'.
"These are amazing buildings and they are disappearing, and they need to be recorded, "O'Sullivan said.
The book features seven woolsheds in the North Island and eight in the South Island.
With so many buildings to choose from, O'Sullivan had a careful selection process when deciding which woolsheds to include in the book.
"I had quite a strong idea of criteria.
"They had to be original and have long family histories – that was important.
"I also wanted to represent New Zealand, a spread of North and South Island – but the main areas of sheep farming."
O'Sullivan said that while some sheds in the book "are not absolutely beautiful," she chose them for their historical significance or unique features.
The book is more than 300 pages long, beginning with a history of New Zealand's wool trade and ending with a chapter called 'The Custodians,' which pays homage to the owners of the farms and woolsheds featured.
In between, each woolshed has a chapter that includes an in-depth history of the shed and the farm it belongs to, completed by stunning photographs that capture the authentic beauty of buildings.’
Read the rest of the review here.
