Exploring sites on the West Coast of the South Island that used to be towns but are now no longer or only sparsely inhabited, ‘No Town’ utilises photography and embroidery to show the sites as they are, and explore the communities that have been lost. Incorporating eight areas, which include thirteen towns, the exhibition highlights the economic migration often forced upon communities in regions where jobs are dependent on unreliable resources.

The exhibition ‘No Town’ opened on 24 April 2014 at Aratoi, Wairarapa Museum of Art and History, Masterton. Since then it has also been shown at: Te Uru, Titirangi, Auckland, The Hokitika Museum, Left Bank Gallery Greymouth, and the Reefton iSite Gallery.

To see all images from the exhibition please visit the online photographic archive www.thenotownproject.org

Hear Caroline talk about 'No Town' on Radio New Zealand National

Aratoi Museum of Art and History
'No Town' installation: Aratoi Museum of Art and History

Aratoi Museum of Art and History
'No Town' installation: Aratoi Museum of Art and History

Aratoi Museum of Art and History
'No Town' installation: Aratoi Museum of Art and History

Aratoi Museum of Art and History
'No Town' installation: Aratoi Museum of Art and History


No Town site map sampler (2014). 

Aratoi Museum of Art and History
'Brighton' from 'No Town': Aratoi Museum of Art and History


Brighton text sampler. (2014).  

DOC carpark, July 2013. (2014).
Former site of Brighton, currently : DOC carpark, July 2013. (2014).


Brighton Times sampler. (2014).  

Aratoi Museum of Art and History
'Denniston' from 'No Town': Aratoi Museum of Art and History

Aratoi Museum of Art and History
'Denniston' detail from 'No Town': Aratoi Museum of Art and History


Damn Denniston sampler. (2013).  


Denniston map sampler. (2014).  

of the Hill museum, Denniston, 2012
Former school building, now Friends: of the Hill museum, Denniston, 2012

. (2014).
Bowling green, Denniston, June 2012: . (2014).

Face and Coalbrookdale, Jan 2013
Former rope road between Burnett’s : Face and Coalbrookdale, Jan 2013

Aratoi Museum of Art and History
'The Waimea' from 'No Town': Aratoi Museum of Art and History


Waimea sampler. (2014).  

 , January 2013. (2014).
German Gully packtrack Goldsborough: , January 2013. (2014).

Aratoi Museum of Art and History
'Greenstone' from 'No Town': Aratoi Museum of Art and History


Greenstone sampler. (2014).  

(2014).
Tailings, Greenstone, June 2013. : (2014).

Aratoi Museum of Art and History
'Waiuta' from 'No Town': Aratoi Museum of Art and History

Aratoi Museum of Art and History
'Waiuta' detail from 'No Town': Aratoi Museum of Art and History

Aratoi Museum of Art and History
'Waiuta' detail from 'No Town': Aratoi Museum of Art and History


Waiuta sampler. (2013).  

January 2013. (2014).
Recreation Ground, Waiuta, : January 2013. (2014).

December 2011. (2014).
Swimming pool, Waiuta, : December 2011. (2014).

January 2013. (2014).
Bowling Club, Waiuta, : January 2013. (2014).

December 2011. (2014).
Interior ‘Gill Cottage’, Waiuta, : December 2011. (2014).

Aratoi Museum of Art and History
'Notown' from 'No Town': Aratoi Museum of Art and History


Notown sampler. (2014).  

July 2013. (2014).
Former site of Notown, : July 2013. (2014).

Aratoi Museum of Art and History
'Big River' from 'No Town': Aratoi Museum of Art and History


Big River sampler. (2013).  

residence, Big River, January 2013
Interior of abandoned private : residence, Big River, January 2013

Big River, January 2013. (2014).
Shacklock Orion stove pot rest, : Big River, January 2013. (2014).

Aratoi Museum of Art and History
'Lyell' from 'No Town': Aratoi Museum of Art and History


Lyell map sampler. (2013).  


Lyell text sampler. (2013).  


Lyell Cemetery, June 2012. (2014).