Journeying around New Zealand since childhood I have developed a love of our landscape, people and history, especially architecture where people live, have lived. Our homes are considered, by some, to be an extension of ourselves, reflecting our personalities, our wealth and our social standing. This has been so since the first colonial settlers arrived, who all at first lived in humble make shift homes. Most went on to build simple cottages and those with wealth built grand homes reflecting their social standing. As the new colony grew, so too did new wealth for some hardworking, or perhaps opportunist settlers who in turn built fine large homes
befitting their new social standing.
And so it began in the colony, our homes reflecting ourselves externally for all passers by to see and admire, to aspire too?
For me old buildings have stories to tell, etched into them over time, they will neverspill their secrets, for walls do not talk. We only learn of life within some old walls from what documented history there is, for most we are left to wonder about past occupants and events. Over the years many old buildings have been changed for new purposes, some are retained as family homes and often renovated, others are in various states of disrepair or in fact neglected or derelict. I am intrigued by what our older homes have to say about their occupants past and present. For me doors and windows are the faces of these old buildings giving them personality along with their decoration, or lack of. Whilst I wonder whether the exterior reflects their occupants nature, consciously or not? Does what a house externally looks like reflect how the occupants feel about home? Is a house a home, or just a house? Is home where their heart is? The many doors and windows I have photographed on my travels are the inspiration in the creation of my work. Using the simple easily recognisable shape of a house in the construction of my work the images I use, chosen as they have captured my interest, or evoked a memory. Varying from those in pristine condition, highly adorned to the simpler, humble abodes, to those that for what ever reason are in various state of disrepair, too those that are now empty.
My photography work reflects on people and their homes, past and present, and as for me home is where the heart is.

Trudi is a recipient of the Rodney Supreme Art Award for 2007