B.

Under the sheets

Behind the scenes

Downstairs in the galleries the exhibitions team have been working flat out for the last couple of weeks to prepare for Ron Mueck.

And now that the dust has settled and the paint dried, it's time to start installing. One of the first sculptures to go in was In bed – a gigantic and pensive woman reclining under a duvet, whose presence seems to take the viewer back to childhood. To find out a little more about  the work, have a read of Justin's piece in the current edition of Bulletin.

Ron Mueck's In bed being installed at Christchurch Art Gallery. Ron Mueck In bed 2005. Polyester resin, fibreglass, polyurethane, horse hair, cotton, second edition, ed. 1/1. Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane, purchased, Queensland Art Gallery Foundation 2008. © Ron Mueck courtesy Anthony d'Offay, London

Ron Mueck's In bed being installed at Christchurch Art Gallery.

Ron Mueck In bed 2005. Polyester resin, fibreglass, polyurethane, horse hair, cotton, second edition, ed. 1/1. Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane, purchased, Queensland Art Gallery Foundation 2008. © Ron Mueck courtesy Anthony d'Offay, London

Ron Mueck's In bed being installed at Christchurch Art Gallery. Ron Mueck In bed 2005. Polyester resin, fibreglass, polyurethane, horse hair, cotton, second edition, ed. 1/1. Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane, purchased, Queensland Art Gallery Foundation 2008. © Ron Mueck courtesy Anthony d'Offay, London

Ron Mueck's In bed being installed at Christchurch Art Gallery.

Ron Mueck In bed 2005. Polyester resin, fibreglass, polyurethane, horse hair, cotton, second edition, ed. 1/1. Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane, purchased, Queensland Art Gallery Foundation 2008. © Ron Mueck courtesy Anthony d'Offay, London

Personally, I can't think of many things I'd less like to do than iron a duvet cover. It's generally just not necessary (Tracey Emin even had a crack at the Turner prize by not ironing hers). But when the duvet in question is around 6 x 4 metres in size and forms an integral part of a frankly monumental artwork, it becomes even more of a proposition.

Members of the conservation and installation teams from the Gallery and the National Gallery of Victoria preparing In bed for display.

Members of the conservation and installation teams from the Gallery and the National Gallery of Victoria preparing In bed for display.