He sold it as blocks of wood and also made doors, windows, tables and benchtops out of it himself, and from this sprang the idea for a new exhibition that’s opening in Bellingen on December 15.

“I thought it would be good to get other people who are doing something similar, whether that’s using recycled or discarded objects or salvaged materials, and showcase that we can change the way we do things,” Bruce said.

He has a line-up of ten artists who will present an array of objects for sale –  furniture, sculptures, paintings, decorative pieces, fashion – made primarily from ethically-sourced materials, including timber, steel, glass and clothing and even old suitcases and feral animal fur.

“Of course sometimes there’s other commercial stuff used too, but there will be a good proportion that’s from a green source, whether that’s recycled, discarded, salvaged or in some way sustainable,” Bruce said.

As well as timber furniture, Bruce has lamps in the exhibition that he’s made from found materials, including a steampunk one constructed from an old sawmill chain, a railway sleeper and salvaged huon pine.

“The only new bits are the lights,” he said.

‘Sourced’ opens at 5pm on December 15 and will run for a couple of months at the Bellingen Gallery and Framing Studio, 3/44 Hyde St.

Artists involved are Bruce Jacups, Nick Warfield, Jai Gennat, Adrienne Hmelnitsky, Carolyn J Roelofs, Trent Mcnamara, Allan Phillips, Liz Challis, Tim Fraser and Ian Watson.