The term She Shed describes a female counterpart to the “man cave” — a private space for retreat, contemplation and pursuing one’s own interests.

She Shed, however, is less about being a woman than about taking a feminist position. The project explores gender roles and identity, and questions forms of exclusion implied by the very idea of gendered spaces.

I photographed artists in New Zealand in the spaces they have created for themselves — places in which to work, withdraw and pursue their interests.