Media releases

From a local experimental publication, to an international, mainstream design bible, Artichoke is an Australian design icon.

Published by Architecture media and officially endorsed by Design Institute of Australia, Artichoke began 12 years ago as an experimental publication and is now one of the leading design magazines in Australia.

Newly appointed Manager of the Asia Pacific Design Library, Christian Duell, said the Design Library, located on level 2 of the South Bank building, was the perfect home for this exhibition.

“The Asia Pacific Design Library was opened in October 2010, to help nourish design thinking and conversations in the region, something Artichoke has been doing for the past 12 years,” Mr Duell said.

“The Design Library is part of a wider network, locally, nationally and globally, for banking design knowledge and fuelling creative processes. It is a place to access great design resources, and engage in design activity.

“Exhibitions such as Artichoke: the making of a design magazine is a perfect example of how we hope the community will engage with, and help further develop the space,” he said.

Christian comes from an architectural background, bringing to the Design Library a strong connection to the Queensland design community and a passion for promoting design thinking through community engagement.

As an architect he has led and contributed to a number of significant and award-winning projects including the Buchanan Park Cultural Pavilion in Mount Isa, the Clem 7 Tunnel urban design in Brisbane, and the Masdar City public realm architecture in the UAE.

Two new contemporary artworks will enlighten visitors to State Library of Queensland, while those visiting China’s Hangzhou Public Library experience their mirror image.

State Library Acting CEO Helen Brodie said Light from Light has surprised unsuspecting visitors since October 2010, with 20 artworks embedded amongst library collections and public areas.

“The works, by Australian and Chinese artists, explore the properties and metaphors of light, and the notion of ‘the library’ as a site of enlightenment,” Ms Brodie said.

“There are now 22 light-inspired and light-generating artworks, including neon art objects, light-sculptures, sounds generated by the sun and illuminated texts and an outdoor
photovoltaic geodesic dome.”

Ms Brodie said what makes Light from Light extraordinary is the fact it has been also touring major libraries throughout China since 2010, where visitors can see copycat versions of these works over 7000km away.

“Light from Light was first mirrored simultaneously in State Library and Shanghai Library, before it toured to Beijing’s National Library of China and National Art Museum of China.

“It is now connecting Hangzhou Public Library and State Library of Queensland, enabling Australian and Chinese audiences to experience the same artworks at the same time.”

New works include Turtle Twilight II, by Grant Stevens, wavering between the authenticity of the written word and the uncertainty of fact and fiction.

Screens of moving text in English and Chinese created from anonymous diary entries found on the internet of tropical holiday experiences sit alongside a screen showing an hypnotic beach sunset - a cliché paradise.

Distance 2011, by Wang Peng, is a video work following the movements of the light spots as a logical connection between two synchronised pictorial planes, questioning the distance between reality and illusion, the ideal and the truth.

“All of the artists have thoughtfully placed their work in library collections, in reading and public spaces and other spaces not usually used for exhibitions,” Ms Brodie said.

Light from Light runs until 31 January 2012

Leaders from 16 of Queensland’s most remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island communities are visiting State Library of Queensland for a week of knowledge sharing.

State Library Cairns Regional Director, Terena Hopkins, welcomed the Coordinators from Indigenous Knowledge Centres (IKCs) all over Queensland, including Cape York and the Torres Strait, to Brisbane.

“Each year the IKC Coordinators spend a week together to learn from each other and State Library experts in collecting, caring for and sharing Queensland heritage,” Ms Hopkins said. “This year is particularly special as they will have the opportunity to meet the Patron of the Indigenous Knowledge Centre Network, the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC.”

State Library partners with Aboriginal councils and the Torres Strait Island Regional Council to support 20 IKCs throughout Queensland, all located in remote communities previously without library services. State Library’s kuril dhagun Indigenous Knowledge Centre at South Bank is the flagship.

Focussing on the theme old yarns, new yarns, participants will spend six days learning everything from how to access State Library online resources to developing their own community collections, engaging with local history, and reclaiming and celebrating Indigenous Knowledge.

The IKC Coordinators will also be taken on in-depth tours of Strait Home at State Library, and Queensland Museum and Gallery of Modern Art exhibitions, all part of The Torres Strait Islands: A Celebration at the Cultural Centre.

A highlight will be a visit to North Stradbroke Island Historical Museum to view the Oodgeroo Noonuccal Collection and how it is cared for.
The IKC Coordinators will also get to experience Riverfire at the closing dinner on Saturday night.

Budding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander authors are invited to enter the 2012 kuril dhagun Indigenous Writing Fellowship competition which awards two $10,000
literary fellowships.

Part of the black&write! Indigenous Writing and Editing Project, the State Library of Queensland invites published or unpublished Indigenous authors to submit
manuscripts in a range of genres from across the country.

State Library’s Executive Manager Indigenous Research & Projects, Tom Mosby, encourages Indigenous authors to submit entries before the closing date of 31
January 2012.

The black&write! Project, which also comprises the kuril dhagun Indigenous Editing Mentorships, was launched at the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair in 2010, as part of State
Library’s commitment to keeping culture strong and reading, writing and ideas.

The Fellowships are named after the kuril dhagun Indigenous Knowledge Centre at State Library in Brisbane, one of 21 throughout Queensland.

Project Director Sue Abbey described black&write! as “a bold, inspiring project designed to nurture talent, flex the participants’ creative imagination and change the
landscape of Indigenous writing in Australia”.

“Our goal is for black&write! to revitalise and expand contemporary Indigenous writing.”

Ms Abbey said the black&write! project was designed to train, mentor and promote outstanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers and editors.

In 2011, Queenslanders Linda McBride-Yuke and Ellen van Neerven-Currie were appointed to the role of trainee editors under the Editing Mentorships.

“We also hope to encourage lifelong Indigenous learning and literacy and foster a love of reading, writing and ideas in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
communities.”

For more information visit http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/whats-on/awards

black&write! is proudly supported by Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) through its
Cultural Fund. 

Chair of the Library Board of Queensland Emeritus Professor Roly Sussex said State Library was seen as a pace-setter nationally and internationally.

He said, “State Library has achieved great things in the last 10 years under the direction of Lea Giles-Peters.

We have opened 21 Indigenous Knowledge Centres across the state to provide library and literacy services to remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and work in partnership with them to keep their cultures strong.

The creation of The Edge, State Library’s digital culture centre, has brought new audiences into the Cultural Centre as well as creating a base for outreach activities to young people.

And the Asia-Pacific Design Library is becoming a developing hub for design thinking and an influential player in the design community.

We are looking for a new State Librarian and CEO to realise the possibilities of the digital future and to guide ongoing organisational change.

Executive search company Boston Kennedy has been engaged to find the right person to build on the library’s great achievements.”

Boston Kennedy has launched a global search including advertising locally and nationally. For more information about the role, contact Russell Fairbanks or Sarah
Kennedy on 07 3226 7800.

Students from Milpera State High School will share traditional stories from their homelands at the State Library of Queensland as part of Children’s Book Week.

The Milpera students, all of whom were born overseas, have been working together to develop their traditional stories into a session for young children.

Milpera State High provides English language and settlement services to prepare newly-arrived immigrant and refugee students for participation in Brisbane schools.

State Library’s Director of Public and Indigenous Library Services, Jane Cowell, said this is a wonderful opportunity for children to interact and engage with stories and storytellers from different corners of the globe.

“The Milpera students, aged from 15 to 18 years, bring with them a rich diversity of languages and cultures,” Ms Cowell said.

“The world over, communities use stories to share knowledge, experiences, history and culture.“

“By sharing some of their background and experiences, the Milpera students are providing a bridge into their world, showing us where they came from and who they are.“

“Introducing young children to different cultures and experiences helps foster acceptance, understanding, tolerance and respect throughout their life,” Ms Cowell said.

As part of Children’s Book Week - One World, Many Stories, Milpera students will share their stories on Thursday 25 August from 12 noon, in The Corner, the State Library’s popular play space for children under 8 years.

More than 2,000 people have logged on to State Library of Queensland’s free online learning program to learn tips to navigating Web 2.0. 

The course is designed to help people navigate the world of online technologies, keep up with the online activities of their children, stay safe online and utilise some of the many positive aspects Web 2.0 has to offer.  With some great prizes up for grabs to Queensland residents, including iPads, a digital camera, and an iPod touch, people are invited to go online and learn a bit about Web 2.0. 

State Library Executive Manager of Learning and Participation, Linda Pitt, said the huge success of the program shows that many people are looking for the kind of support offered by Looking @2.0. 

“With so many services and businesses now online, many people are struggling to keep up with these ever-changing technologies. De-mystifying the web can go a long way to giving people the confidence and the skills to enter the online world” Ms Pitt said. 

Looking @2.0 is a self paced, flexible free course. It provides an overview of online resources available and guides you through the process of deciding which ones work for you. 

The State Library of Queensland will farewell State Librarian Lea Giles-Peters.

Chair of the Library Board of Queensland Emeritus Professor Roly Sussex announced today that Lea Giles-Peters would not continue as State Librarian after the end of her current contract in October.

He said, “Lea has been at State Library for 10 years and we will be sorry to see her go. “She has led the transformation of State Library of Queensland into an organisation nationally and internationally recognised as a benchmark and pace-setter.

“Among her many contributions are the establishment of 21 Indigenous Knowledge Centres across the State in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Councils; the launch of The Edge, State Library’s digital culture centre; and the creation of the Asia-Pacific Design Library.

“She is also responsible for the successful completion of the Millennium Library Project, which has provided Queenslanders with the wonderful South Bank resource and a service transformation (which is ongoing) which reimagined and reinvented what a library could be. State Library has extended support and leadership to the many public libraries across the State.”

Ms Giles-Peters said she was ready for new challenges after 10 years as State Librarian. She said, “I have loved my time at State Library of Queensland and with the support of the Board, the staff, and our many wonderful supporters, we have been able to see our vision for the organisation substantially realised.

“My time at the State Library has been a highlight of my career but it is now time to seek other challenges.”

Professor Sussex said Lea would continue to take a great interest in the ongoing success of State Library.

“Lea is currently taking leave during which time Acting CEO Helen Brodie will manage the day-to-day operations.

“We are very grateful for Lea’s intention to support important State Library events and initiatives in the future.

“A selection panel is being established to begin the recruitment process for Lea’s successor.”

State Library of Queensland’s vision is: Enriching the lives of Queenslanders by creatively engaging people with information, knowledge, and community.

Media inquiries
Cathy Stacey, Communications, State Library of Queensland
M: 0434 074 372 P: 3842 9346 cathy.stacey@slq.qld.gov.au

Black Opium, a powerful public artwork by Queensland artist Fiona Foley, adorns the corridors of the State Library of Queensland. 

Beautifully integrated into the fabric of the South Bank building, the artwork reveals a complex story of opium addiction, Aboriginal people, and Government control in 19th century Australia.  In honour of the significant public artwork, the State Library has published Black Opium, a collection of essays, articles and historical photographs, exploring the history that inspired the installation, and unravelling some of the themes evoked within artwork.

In 1897 legislation was developed to restrain an emerging trend of paying for Aboriginal labour with opium. However, more than just restricting addiction, the legislation was devoted to regulating the lives of Aboriginal people. It prevented them from controlling their own finances, prescribed where and how they lived and worked, and facilitated the forced removal of Aboriginal people to missions and reserves where all aspects of their lives could be closely controlled. 

After discovering some of the truths behind the Aboriginal Protection and Restriction of the Sale of Opium Act 1897, Foley said she was compelled to create Black Opium, a work that explores the history, personal stories and legacy associated with this controversial Act. 

Acting CEO of State Library Helen Brodie said Queensland’s heritage was a critical contributor to our identity and self understanding, linking the memories of our state’s past to our present lives and future development. “Black Opium sits poignantly on level 4 of the State Library building where, alongside heritage materials such manuscripts, maps, photographs, oral histories and digital stories, we have adopted it as an extension of the John Oxley Library collection which enables richer insight into the history and cultures of Queensland.” 

“While the physical installation remains restricted to visitors of the physical State Library building, through the publication we hope to share the knowledge, emotions and beauty captured by Fiona Foley, with the rest of Queensland,” said Ms Brodie. 

The State Library has donated copies of the Black Opium publication to Queensland public libraries and Indigenous Knowledge Centres, and copies of the book can be purchased from The Library Shop.

On Saturday 2 July, Arts Minister Rachel Nolan officially opened The Torres Strait Islands: A Celebration, a landmark project of exhibitions, performance and workshops incorporating the entire South Bank Cultural Centre in recognition of Torres Strait arts and culture.

"The event, running from 1 July - 23 October, is the most extensive celebration of Torres Strait Islander arts and culture ever mounted in Australia or anywhere else in the world," Ms Nolan said.

"It is a huge undertaking, the first major collaborative multi-arts project organised by Queensland's Art Gallery, State Library, Museum and Performing Arts Centre, and one being held nowhere more appropriate than Queensland."