Katia Astafieff is a travel writer, novelist, and children’s author. She has a particular interest in botanical history and popularising scientific subjects. Her wide-ranging publications include the bestseller How to travel alone when one is petite, blonde, and adventurous.

For her special project during the residency, Katia plans to explore the story of Marianne North, an Englishwoman who travelled to Australia and New Zealand in 1880 on the advice of Charles Darwin, and painted remarkable illustrations of indigenous flora. Marianne is recognised for the scientific accuracy with which she documented plant life before photography was a practical option.

Katia hopes to draw inspiration from Marianne’s life for a work supported by research and observations during her stay in New Zealand.