I’ve just returned from the first ACO. Residency – Denmark Edition.

I spent seven days on the small island of Ærø, off the southern coast of Fyn. Around 20 km long and 6 km wide, I spent my days cycling the quiet coastal roads, photographing the landscape and enjoying the warm midsummer air.

I stayed with Geir, who has lived in a former Second World War radar station since 2015. Over the years, the building has had many lives: first as a military site, then as a refugee camp for women and children from Poland and West Germany after the war, and later as a summer camp before becoming his home.

We spent our time together sorting through plans for his upcoming projects, talking about the island's history, and visiting friends for morning coffee and cake. For a brief week, it was nice to feel part of a small community, while also finding a balance between a few productive days of making and time to think.

This was the first of what I hope will become a continuing series of residencies. I'm beginning to realise that the key ingredients are a balance of making, being and exploring. Having a clear purpose gives structure to each day, while leaving enough space for unexpected conversations, observations and ideas to emerge. It keeps my mind from drifting into what I should be trying to achieve, and instead allows me to be fully present in the place I'm in.

After my time on the island, we travelled to Copenhagen for 3daysofdesign. Having now visited all of the major European design weeks over the past few years, this felt like the end of a chapter.

Rather than leaving inspired by the exhibitions themselves, I came away with a stronger desire to contribute rather than simply observe.

The most valuable takeaway wasn't a particular project or installation, but the realisation that I'd like to be involved on a deeper level in the future, whether that's exhibiting work, collaborating on a project, or being a participant in the conversations that shape these events.

I mentioned recently coming across the A-Z West project by Andrea Zittel during my residency research. I'm happy to say that, after applying through their recent open call, I've been invited to take part in the Fall 2026 Live Work Program at High Desert Test Sites.

Towards the end of the year, I'll be spending an extended period living and working at the 80-acre A-Z West compound in the Joshua Tree desert. It's an opportunity to immerse myself in a completely different landscape and community, and to continue exploring how place influences the way I think, make and collaborate.

During my time there, I'll be helping to build the Caretaker's Cabin, a permanent home for future residents that explores a modular approach to living.

My hope during this time is to spend as much time as possible outside. Rather than going for place to place which many of my previous USA trips have centered around (aka a road trip).

Although I only discovered Andrea Zittel's work recently, her approach to using art and design as a way of questioning everyday life immediately resonated with me. It feels like a fitting place to continue this journey.