TRADING PLACE Lismore
Preparations are well under way for our next instalment of Trading Place which is at Lismore Regional Gallery in September and October. 
We have been hard at work creating the body of work to include in this exhibition. 
This latest work is truly collaborative and is our response to our time spent in Port Augusta last year as Artist's in Residence at Port Augusta Cultural Centre in South Australia.

Sneak Peak...
These pieces are yet to be fired but we thought we'd give you a sneak preview of what will be on offer in the Lismore exhibition.
Remember, it is an interactive installation where we invite the audience to trade an oblect or artwork with us. The artwork can be any medium, 2D or 3D, but must be miniature in size (think no bigger than a postcard) and must relate to the place where you live. Read more about it on the dedicated Trading Place page on our website.
Details of the exhibition are:  Lismore Regional Gallery  12 September – 24 October 2015
Dedicated 'trading' days and times will be established and announced closer to the opening, so stay tuned...
And don't forget that items traded at the Port Augusta exhibition will be available for trading in Lismore.

What's inside??? 
Well it's time to start thinking about the interior and how I am going to configure the layout of the Container of Dreams. It's a really small space, which is the point of the project, so everything has to be thought through really thoroughly.
I want items like furniture, storage, etc to have multiple uses where possible so need to take this into consideration as well.
I love the concept of Murphy Beds - you know the ones that pull down when in use and the fold back up into a space in the wall much like a cupboard, but in this tiny space I actually believe it may take up too much of the available space. I think a lounge that becomes a bed (sofa-bed) will be a better way to go as it has dual functionality (two pieces of furniture) and most importantly functions as a lounge when not in use as a bed.

I have also noted the condition of the container, both inside and outside. Given that it is over 20 years old it is in pretty good shape overall, however there are a few noticable exceptions. After a small amount of recent rainfall I thought I should go check the thing out for leaks, low & behold there was a small puddle in the far left corner. That's when I noticed the patch on the ceiling - not a fantastic patch job either! (see above photos) But we work with what we're given.... and this got me to thinking about using this hole to my advantage. Now I am considering possiblities of some kind of an access hole to the roof-top deck. This needs more thought, but there's loads of ideas like a spiral staircase, a ladder, climbing wall, you name it...
I am now working with some 3D software to try to come up with the best layout for this project. I intend to try lots of different ideas over the coming weeks, even months, here's my very first attempt, and even includes my stairs up to the roof... please enjoy...