Bump in
Exhibition Install - Qdos Fine Arts, Lorne
With two years to create this new body of work—21 paintings in total—the moment I’ve been working toward is now almost here. The "bump in" date for my exhibition at Qdos Fine Art Gallery in Lorne is fast approaching, and the studio energy is an intense mix of excitement and frenzy.
I imagine most artists would agree: the final weeks before an exhibition are a mad scramble of “to do’s.” For me, this has included applying the final coats of varnish, photographing each piece for the catalogue, titling the paintings, writing the exhibition blurb, and pouring the final layers of epoxy resin. That last task comes with its own special kind of stress—hovering over resin tables with mozzie nets draped like protective cocoons, praying that not a single insect breaches the perimeter!
And then there’s the logistical challenge: getting the artwork from my studio to the gallery. Qdos, in Lorne, is around 200 kilometres away, and moving 21 freshly finished paintings is no small task. Just when I was starting to feel the pressure mount, something extraordinary happened.
Knowing my birthday was around the corner (and perhaps sensing the looming bump-in stress), my partner surprised me with the most thoughtful, practical, and heartfelt gift I could have imagined: a custom-built transportation box, tailor-made for safely delivering my paintings to galleries. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect—it was unveiled just in time for this weekend’s delivery to Qdos Fine Art Gallery.
Honestly, words fall short. I am overwhelmed with gratitude. This kind of support—so generous, so intuitive—means the world. It’s not just a box; it’s a symbol of shared journeys and belief in the creative process.
So here we are: resin is cured, titles are final, and the car is loaded. It’s almost time to see this body of work hanging in the light-filled gallery space at Qdos. I can’t wait to share it with you all
The wonderful Tim presenting my ‘Art Box’ on my birthday
Bump-In Day
There’s a special kind of buzz that arrives with bump-in day at a gallery. The air hums with a mix of anticipation, quiet adrenaline, and the scent of fresh paint and possibility. Once all 21 paintings were safely carried inside and the sea of bubble wrap cleared from the public’s path, the next exciting phase began: mapping out the layout and planning the hang.
There’s something incredibly satisfying about watching blank white walls transform into a rich, cohesive visual story—each work finding its rightful place, one by one, until the narrative of the exhibition begins to breathe on its own.
Not all galleries invite the artist to be involved in the installation process, but in my case, I love having a hand in it. There’s a deep joy in shaping the final presentation of work you’ve poured your heart into. From the moment I set foot in Qdos Fine Art, I sensed it would be the ideal setting for this new body of work. The gallery, with its world-class reputation and architecture echoing a refined Japanese aesthetic, felt like a natural and meaningful extension of the paintings themselves.
The Bump-In ‘dream team’
As the day unfolded and decisions were made—some intuitive, some deliberated—the most perfect hang emerged. The space embraced the work with such grace, and the final result surpassed anything I had envisioned.
A heartfelt thank you to gallery director Graeme Wilkie for his generosity and vision, and to my wonderful partner, Tim Howden, whose calm presence and unwavering support helped bring this installation to seamless fruition.
To stand in this beautiful space and see the paintings hanging proudly in their intended positions—after dreaming them into being over the past two years—brings with it a wave of relief, pride, and deep fulfillment.
Now, it’s time for a well-earned celebratory meal before welcoming guests to the opening tomorrow!
— Nerina
Thrilled!