A central theme running through David Rayson's research has been his inquiry into experiences of living in suburbia: the struggle between the aspirations of suburbia's inhabitants for impressive homes, well-tended gardens, somewhere to park the car and a wide choice of TV channels, juxtaposed with vandalism, crime, noisy neighbours and paranoia. Somewhere Else Is Here was a solo show that charted the shift from the extremely detailed pseudo-photographical paintings, which characterised the early outputs from this research, to bolder ink pen drawings. While the former functioned as convincing reconstructions of a generic suburbia, this medium did not serve Rayson's growing need to respond in a more diaristic vein to events and reflections rapidly emerging from his developing relationship with suburbia. An internal dialogue was beginning to flourish that demanded a faster and more adaptable research methodology. This exhibition charted these new developments and functioned both as a catalyst and an opportunity to discuss a conscious search for a more direct and responsive means of expression.

A 60-page catalogue accompanied the exhibition with an essay entitled 'Suburban Dreams' written by Miranda Sawyer (The Observer). The exhibition consisted of some 40 works from large paintings to small preparatory pencil and ink drawings that culminated in large ink on paper drawings. As part of the show I conducted a series of lectures, working closely with the education department at Kettle's Yard, Cambridge. These events were well attended by the local audience as well as artists and writers who had travelled up from London. Somewhere Else Is Here was supported by Maureen Paley (Interim Art), and was extensively reviewed and discussed in several newspapers and journals.