Sally Stafford February 2026

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My time at Mud and Wool offered a valuable period of focus and reflection, out of which the piece Way Leads On To Way began to take shape. The work developed through a process of quiet attention, gathering, making, and allowing ideas to unfold slowly in response to the landscape and the rhythm of the days.

Alongside the making, one of the most rewarding aspects of the residency was the opportunity to spend time with the other artists and the volunteers. Conversations, shared meals, and the informal exchange of ideas became an important part of the experience. The weekly communal sauna, in particular, offered a space to pause, reflect, and connect — a simple but memorable ritual within the week.

I also took part in one of the residency’s workshops, held on St David's Day, which explored Welsh culture, landscape and identity. It felt especially meaningful to engage with these themes while living and working in that environment, and it has continued to resonate in the work since.

The residency offered a balance of solitude and community, time to make, and time to share, both of which have been invaluable in shaping the direction of my practice.