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In the third of a four-part Art & Australia special commission, the Hobart-based artist and author of the graphic novel Worry Doll (2007)  continues his shady new narrative.

'When I finished Worry Doll I decided to do a series of stand-alone drawings which became the 2008 'Night Stills' series', says Coyle. 'Interestingly, the first drawing was of a man digging up the front of his garden at night. Such recurring imagery and narratives that can knit together – sometimes strangely, seamlessly – merge into the ideas behind 'The Shades'.

'What if you did dig up a descending staircase in your garden? And how would that lead to all sorts of interesting journeys? Such as: coming out into the foyer of Hobart's Theatre Royal. This is not just a beautiful old theatre but also the place I have worked for many years in the box office. Lots to explore: the fairly ordinary box office setting but just nearby an ornate and historical stage, ghostly tunnels beneath, trapdoors, ushers in black tie ...'