Photo ©Jim Tannock
Peg keeps a large supply of textured yarns in baskets throughout her workshop
Training includes
- 1991 eight day weaving workshop at the famous Saterglantan College of Handicrafts in Sweden introduced Peg to linen damask weaving
- 1991 attended Sweden's VAV-91 Hudiksvall international weaving conference
- 1987 Designing for the Body seminar by American wearable art weaver Albertje Koopman at International Weaving School, Picton
- c1980 attended workshop in Canberra with legendary English weaver Mary Barker
- 1970s workshop with Australian weaver Rhonda O'Meara influenced Peg to use reactive dyes
- late 1960s regularly drove hours across Marlborough to the Awatere Valley for weaving classes with Elsie Ryan
Awards and Exhibitions include
- 2008 guest exhibitor at
Art in Action,
School of Philosophy, Wellington.
Guest exhibitor at
2008 Art in Action - 2008 Colourfall wall hanging selected by curator Helen Kedgley for Professional Weavers Network of New Zealand exhibition Lightwaves at Pataka - Poirua Museums of Arts and Culture
- 2007 exhibited Matariki Winter Solstice Art Exhibition, Picton
- 2006 solo exhibition Rippling Waters; a weaver's story, Kura Gallery, Wellington opened by Japanese Ambassador Masaki Saito
- 2005 retrospective exhibition
Spice of Life, Millennium Art Gallery, Blenheim - 2004 Professional Weavers Network of New Zealand touring exhibition Black/White; a Journey through Contrasts
- 2001 won Linen Trust Award at the Creative Fibre National Exhibition, New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts. Judged by Judy Turner
- 2000 linen tablecloth selected by Carole Shepheard for special mention for Professional Weavers Network of New Zealand exhibition Synthesis Interwoven Elements at Suter Gallery, Nelson.
- 2000 interviewed for TVNZ's In Touch with New Zealand
- 2000 interviewed for Radio New Zealand's This is New Zealand
- 1999 guest exhibitor Wool, Wrap and Weft Gallery, Hamilton
- 1998 exhibited Something to Crow About hand painted and felted mohair at 10th Anniversary of New Zealand Wearable Arts Award
- 1998 modelled in the Super Revelation Section of the New Zealand Wearable Arts Award, Nelson
- 1998 1st prize in surface design for Hope for 2000 at Textile Fantasia Body Wrap exhibition, Arts Marlborough
- 1997 selected for Combined Textiles of New Zealand annual awards, New Zealand Spinners and Weavers
- 1995 exhibited Professional Weavers Network of New Zealand exhibition, Invercargill
- 1991 exhibited Untitled, an embroidered cloak selected for knit wear section of the Wearable Art Award, Nelson
- 1990 exhibited Woven Poncho and wool Cape (highly commended) in Chez Eelco Wearable Art Award, Nelson
- 1989 exhibited at Noeline Brokenshire's Christchurch's Cave Rock Gallery
- 1989 exhibited a bridal robe in silk and mohair with a mohair trim at the New Zealand National Woolcraft Festival Exhibition in Dunedin
- 1989 exhibited Anniversary, a hanging in cream and gold wool at Rangi Ruru Old Girls Centennial Exhibition
- 1988 exhibited Hand Woven two piece, Fringed Cape and Mohair Coat at 2nd Wearable Arts Award, Nelson
- 1988 selected for New Zealand National Woolcrafts Festival, Auckland
- 1988 included in touring exhibition New Zealand National Woolcrafts Exhibition
- 1988 joint winner Wool Board Special Award for opera cloak at the Marlborough Woolcraft Guild Exhibition, Blenheim
- 1987 exhibited Opera Cloak and Havana Moonlight at the inaugural Wearable Arts Award, Nelson
- 1977 exhibited in national touring New Zealand Spinners and Weavers Fashion Parade
- 1976 selected for Zonta Club Exhibition and Fashion Parade for the New Zealand Wool Board organised by Christchurch's Capricorn Gallery
About Peg
Born in 1917 at Selma, a property near Ashburton, Peg grew up in Christchurch with her cousin the painter and potter Margaret Anderson (Lady Frankel) at Risingholme, a grand old house that was later gifted to the city. In 1963 she moved with her late husband Len Moorhouse to Marlborough's Sunshine Bay, where she has lived ever since. Peg's professional career began in 1965 when she sought advice from renowned New Zealand weaver Ida Lough, and sold the natural yarns to leading Christchurch department store Haywrights.
"Where I live has a big influence on my work. My studio looks out over the Queen Charlotte Sound, a huge expanse of water, backed by the most wonderful line of hills, with their ever-changing faces."
View of the Marlborough Sounds from Peg's studio
Initially self-taught, Peg spent some time in the late 1960s weaving under the eagle eye of Elsie Ryan, later Patron of Marlborough Spinners & Weavers. She also studied with legendary English weaver Mary Barker, Australian weaver Rhonda O'Meara and American weaver Albertje Koopman. She was introduced to linen damask weaving at the famous Saterglantan College of Handicrafts in Sweden. In turn, while in Australia during the early 1980s, Peg started a weaving group in Eden, New South Wales.
Peg supplied original woven lengths to fashion designers in Wellington as well as exhibiting her own woven fashion designs throughout New Zealand. Accepted to exhibit at the inaugural Wearable Arts Award in 1987 spurred her on to experiment. Now in her nineties, the award winning professional fibre artist is notable for her do-it- yourself attitude.
"It's a challenge because I've done everything myself, where these days weavers have professionals designing their work"