In my master’s thesis, I explored the concept of interaction as a sculptural strategy, particularly in spaces like reception areas—places that offer a glimpse into an organization’s identity without revealing the whole narrative. These spaces are typically furnished with neutral, functional, and subtly stylish elements that exude reliability and professionalism. They are public zones where people wait, often striving to conceal feelings of boredom, anxiety, or confusion.

My series of installations, collectively titled Lobby Play, challenged these conventional notions. The work spilled out from the Institute of Modern Art (IMA) and infiltrated the various reception areas within the Judith Wright Centre. Collaborating with each organization in the Centre, I replaced their existing furnishings with interactive components that mimicked the appearance of traditional furniture but subverted their expected functions. By breaking free from the confines of gallery walls, Lobby Play defied the usual conventions of engaging with art objects, inviting a new set of rules for interaction and experience. Read Robyn Daw’s catalogue essay ‘Rules of Engagement’