INTRODUCTION: There is little research on the role of creative arts and craft in disaster recovery. This article reports findings about the emergent role of crafting from research conducted after the 2010–2011 series of earthquakes in Christchurch and surrounding districts in Aotearoa New Zealand. In particular, the article focuses on the significance and differing interpretations of the notion of place expressed by participants through their craftwork, in this case led by women and mediated by the post-earthquake geographic and temporal context. METHOD: This qualitative research included nine individual interviews and five focus group interviews with crafters from Christchurch and surrounding districts. There were 35 participants in total, 33 were women. Applied thematic analysis was used to code the data and identify themes. These themes included connection to place, the symbolism of craft, the healing experience of craft groups and places for women. The notion of place was evident across all three themes. FINDINGS: The findings from the research demonstrate differing ways in which the significance of place was reflected in the craftwork. Participants interpreted the concept of place in descriptive, symbolic, and therapeutic ways. IMPLICATIONS: More understanding about the way creative endeavours like crafting can be used to help ameliorate the impact of natural disasters is needed. Social work practitioners are encouraged to explore place-based wellbeing during their work with service users and to include aspects of artistry, craft and creativity.
A story submitted by Olive Russell to the QuakeStories website.
Road cones outside South New Brighton School have been decorated with flowers for the anniversary of the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
A photograph of a crack that runs between two windows of the earthquake-damaged Wheki Building at the University of Canterbury.
A photograph of the earthquake damage to a roof of a house on the corner of Papanui Road and Merivale Lane.
A photograph of the earthquake damage to a roof of a house on the corner of Papanui Road and Merivale Lane.
A photograph of the earthquake damage to a roof of a house on the corner of Papanui Road and Merivale Lane.
A photograph of the earthquake damage to a shop on the corner of Manchester Street and Struthers Lane, near Sol Square.
A photograph of an earthquake-damaged building on Manchester Street. The corner of the building has cracks running through the masonry.
Emergency personnel searching the wreckage of the collapsed Pyne Gould Corporation building for people trapped during the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
Emergency personnel searching the wreckage of the collapsed Pyne Gould Corporation building for people trapped during the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
Civil Defence staff conferring at their headquarters in the Christchurch Art Gallery during the immediate aftermath of the 22 February earthquake.
Royal New Zealand Air Force personnel preparing a Hercules C-130 to evacuate rest home residents affected by the Canterbury Earthquake.
An aerial view of Christchurch a week after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. The Oxford Terrace Baptist Church can be seen.
Royal New Zealand Air Force personnel preparing a Hercules C-130 to evacuate rest home residents affected by the Canterbury Earthquake.
Royal New Zealand Air Force personnel preparing a Hercules C-130 to evacuate rest home residents affected by the Canterbury Earthquake.
Members of the public standing outside the Christchurch City Council Offices on Worcester Boulevard, shortly after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
Civil Defence staff conferring at their headquarters in the Christchurch Art Gallery during the immediate aftermath of the 22 February earthquake.
Civil Defence staff conferring at their headquarters in the Christchurch Art Gallery during the immediate aftermath of the 22 February earthquake.
Civil Defence staff conferring at their headquarters in the Christchurch Art Gallery during the immediate aftermath of the 22 February earthquake.
Prime Minister John Key at the memorial service held in Latimer Square on the anniversary of the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
Aerial image of the Christ Church Cathedral in Christchurch taken by the Royal New Zealand Air Force for the Earthquake Commission.
The footpath on Williams Street bridge in Kaiapoi. Since the earthquake, it has been re-instated after new pipes were laid.
The swollen Avon River running beside Boaters Restaurant in the Town Hall in the aftermath of the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
Fulton Hogan employees examining a large crack in the middle of a road in Avonside after the September 4th earthquake.
A colour photograph showing detail of the damage to the exterior masonry of Manchester Courts, following the 4 September 2011 earthquake.
Royal New Zealand Air Force personnel preparing a Hercules C-130 to evacuate rest home residents affected by the Canterbury Earthquake.
Royal New Zealand Air Force personnel preparing a Hercules C-130 to evacuate rest home residents affected by the Canterbury Earthquake.
A colour photograph of the north side of Kenton Chambers on Hereford Street, showing damage from the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
An aerial view of Hagley Park a week after the 22 February 2011 earthquake, with liquefaction visible on the golf course.