State Library Victoria’s largest-ever free exhibition of artists’ creative journeys

The State Library Victoria (SLV) will launch its largest free exhibition on August 15, taking viewers behind the scenes of the artists' creations, featuring nearly 600 items.

Creative Acts: Artists and Their Inspirations invites visitors to explore the creators’ inspirations and processes behind their works. From earlier ideas and drafts to final works, the audience can enjoy material rarely exposed to the public.

SLV CEO Paul Duldig said the exhibition showed rarely seen sketches, drafts, photos and correspondence, offering visitors “intimate insights into the inspirational practices of artists, writers, dancers and creators.”

As part of the exhibition, the Library Up Late program returns on August 22 from 7.30 pm to 10.30 pm, with a special event as part of the City of Melbourne’s Now or Never festival for collective creative expression.

Visitors will not just observe but actively participate in workshops and performances as artists themselves. Tickets are $34 for general admission, $29 for paid members, concession holders and under-30s, and $25 for First Nations visitors. Bookings are required.

The highlighting collection includes items never seen from the archive of bohemian icon Vali Myers. The State Library has also invited five leading Victorian artists to create new works inspired by the State Collection.

The commissioned works include Peter Carey’s reflection on True History of the Kelly Gang, Dr Chandrabhanu OAM’s classical Odissi dance, Dr Deanne Gilson’s painting sharing her Wadawurrung ancestors’ Creation story, Barry William Hale’s nine-metre automatic drawing, and Bundit Puangthong’s vivid mural of childhood and culture.

According to Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks, this exhibition celebrates this extraordinary treasure trove, Victoria's great artists’ works and their creative processes.