Trade was dedicated to profiling the work of exceptional artists from a range of different career stages. Trade, especially at its One Thoresby Street location paid particular attention to performative, social, collaborative and collective artworks and historical artists' film and video. 

The first event in 2008 a 'Parasitical Event' set the tone for this programme, the intention of the event was to create an additional form of discussion, engagement and criticism to complement existing activity in Nottingham. Trade also embarked on a series of interviews with artists and has run programme of events and exhibitions at off-site locations including Broadway Cinema and M-e-x-i-c-o in Leeds.  

Initially, in 2010 the gallery moved into a small 3m x 3m space and utilised other public spaces in the One Thoresby Street building for performative events and larger exhibitions. Trade moved downstairs a year later to a larger space and the focus of the programme turned to inviting groups and artists to participate in 'Short Sharp Blow to the Head', programme of short exhibitions and online takeovers. In 2013, Trade's redevelopment of One Thoresby Street’s ground floor created four new gallery spaces. The exhibitions here were often complimented by live performances such as Robin Deacon's Approximating the Art of Stuart Sherman, Jaap Blonk's vocal improvisations and Lee Campbell's and Mel Jordan's 'Heckler' symposium. In 2016, Trade moved to Primary, and the programmed focused on succinct solo exhibitions, by artists that include painting as part of their output. 

Trade was billed as 'One of the World's Best Secret Galleries' in the Independent, profiled in the Guardian and included in Kevin Hunt's HOT100.pdf of artist-run spaces. 

 

Trade was a curatorial project by Bruce Asbestos 2008 - 2018

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