Sydney O'Shaughnessy
Isabel Vique
Lucila Castaño
Jean Long
Alanis Thorney
Into the Archipelago: Jean Visits the Eider Keepers of Vega
Our residency journey has officially moved from urban art spaces straight to the rugged shores of the UNESCO World Heritage archipelago of Vegaøyan. One of our brilliant residents, Jean, has traveled to the outer islands to immerse herself in a tradition that has survived for over a thousand years: the deeply mutualistic bond between wild eider ducks and human bird tenders (ærfuglvoktere).
The Keepers of the Flock
During the breeding season, these dedicated caretakers live on isolated islands to protect vulnerable eider ducks from predators like gulls, minks, and sea eagles. It is a slow, deeply intentional practice of stewardship and coexistence. A perfect example of what it means to actively step up to help wildlife conservation.
A Gift of Living History
In a beautiful moment of creative exchange, Vibeke is passing a very special piece of the island’s legacy over to Jean: a skein of hand-spun yarn, crafted by Vibeke herself.
“This is a piece of living history, hand-spun by a caretaker who spends her days guarding the future of a declining species. The story of the landscape is literally twisted into the wool.”
We cannot wait to see how this incredible island experience, and Vibeke’s beautiful hand-spun yarn, shape the final step of Jean’s residency work.
Follow our instagram account as we share more behind-the-scenes glimpses from Jean’s time out on the islands!
Photo credits: Vega world heritage center