Play Me I'm Yours | in the beginning...

It seemed like an easy and amazing idea at the time.  No dramas I told myself when I was commissioned to paint 17 pianos for this fantastic international initiative created by Luke Jerram. But I am also on my biological deadline with my due date for our first baby to be only 6 days away.  It can be done I say.

The project is described like this at the Play Me, I'm Yours website. 

"Touring internationally since 2008, “Play Me, I’m Yours” is an artwork by British artist Luke Jerram. Reaching over two million people worldwide – more than 600 pianos have already been installed in cities across the globe, from New York to Sydney, bearing the simple instruction ‘Play Me, I’m Yours’.

Located in public parks, bus shelters and train stations, outside galleries and markets and even on bridges and ferries, the pianos are available for any member of the public to play and enjoy. Who plays them and how long they remain is up to each community. Many pianos are personalised and decorated by artists or the local community. By creating a place of exchange ‘Play Me, I’m Yours’ invites the public to engage with, activate and take ownership of their urban environment.

Play Me, I’m Yours is currently happening in Toronto and Salem, Oregon and will be taking place in Stratford, Ontario from 1-19 August 2012.  We are also delighted to announce that the artwork will also be visiting Toowoomba & Perth in Australia, Hangzhou in China and Cambridge in the UK later this year. "


Day one saw a mini shop up as we bought the primer, paints, brushes, filler, respirators and all that fun stuff. It was then followed by pallet jacking all 17 pianos into their own space and a debrief to the trusty volunteers. (P.s you guys are amazing).  We all then selected our pianos and primed away.  Soon the 17 beautiful timber upright pianos began to transform into blank canvas with the shed filling up with white pianos.  We were even lucky enough to get a little bit of colour splashed around as well. 

It took two days, a lot of laughter (mostly at my expense) a lot of primer and a few really unhealthy meals but the first days are down and we at least lie to ourselves and tell eachother how great the progress has been..so far. 

PLAY ME, I'M YOURS TOOWOOMBA

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End of day one with white pianos everywhere

Trusty Volunteer #1

Starting to get a little bit of colour out there

Trusty volunteer #2