Exhibitions:
- Torres Strait Island Railway (Pamle) History exhibition
- Meriba Gidhal: Torres Strait Island Treasures of the Margaret Lawrie Collection
- Behind the Lines: The year's best cartoons 2008
- Bipotaim: Stories from the Torres Strait
- Christmas beetles
- Caring for the collections
All exhibition spaces are open from 10am to 5pm daily.
Exhibitions
Torres Strait Island Railway (Pamle) History exhibition
This photographic exhibition pays homage to generations of Torres Strait Islanders who worked on building Australia’s rail network and portrays the stories, songs, places, memories and reflections of these men and their families.
A mass migration from the Torres Strait Islands occurred from the early 1950’s when a tide of men left the islands and headed for the mainland of Australia after the pearling and trochus industry collapsed.
Many worked as cane cutters then found steady work as labourers, building and maintaining
Queensland, and later, Australian railway systems which greatly contributed to the economic development of our nation. Islander tracklaying pioneers became legendary for their manual skills and hard work ethics, making ‘name’ as Torre Strait Islanders, setting new tracklaying records and remarkably, they still are the perpetual world record holders for remote area heavy haul track laying.
There are generations of Torres Strait Islanders who tell tales of working on the railway and look back at those days fondly. When singing, dancing and storytelling helped keep their culture strong during times of isolation and separation from community and loved ones. This exhibition presents photographs and stories from the Ailan men and their families.
Torres Strait Island Railway (Pamle) History exhibition is presented by the State Library of Queensland in partnership with Queensland Rail and the Torres Strait Railway History Group.
Venue kuril dhagun, level 1
Date Mon 24 Aug - Mon 30 Nov
Entry Free
Behind the Lines: The year's best cartoons 2008
Want to explore the satirical world of political cartoonists? Come and take a look at a new exhibition at the State Library of Queensland - Behind the Lines: The year's best cartoons 2008.
Opening on 21 November, this exhibition showcases cartoons documenting political events throughout 2008, including Kevin Rudd’s first year in office, the apology, the 2020 summit, global warming and the world financial meltdown.
This National Museum of Australia travelling exhibition presented by the State Library features more than 80 of Australia’s leading political cartoonists including Bill Leak, Cathy Wilcox, John Spooner, David Rowe, Geoff Pryor, David Pope, Mark Knight and First Dog On The Moon.
Behind the Lines: The Year's Best Cartoons 2008 offers a rare insight into the humorous world of political cartoonists and is a great opportunity to experience political events through their eyes.
Exhibition visitors will be invited to choose their favourite cartoon for the People's Choice Award, a $1000 prize for the cartoonist with most popular work in the exhibition. View the virtual exhibition.
Venue Philip Bacon Heritage Gallery, level 4
Date Sat 21 Nov 09 – Sun 14 Feb 10, open daily 10am-5pm
Entry Free
Talbot Family Treasures Wall
Positioned at the heart of the Heritage Collection suite of galleries and reading rooms on level 4, the 25 metre glass-walled exhibition space provides an up close view of rare items from the Collections. View more information on the Talbot Family Treasures Wall.
Meriba Gidhal: Torres Strait Island Treasures of the Margaret Lawrie Collection
Opening on 24 October, Meriba Gidhal: Torres Strait Island Treasures of the Margaret Lawrie Collection takes one on a visual journey to Queensland’s most northern islands in the Torres Strait. These 120 or so islands are scattered like gems amid the aqua-blue waters where the Coral and Arafura Seas meet.
The selected watercolours, drawings, photographs and books from the diverse Margaret Lawrie Collection illustrate traditional Islander stories and children’s games. Most of the art has been created by Torres Strait islanders who worked closely with her when she was in the Torres Strait Islands between 1964 and 1973. View the virtual exhibition.
Join us for a special exhibition Curator's Tour, 11am, Thu 14 Dec at the Talbot Family Treasures Wall, free, no bookings required
Venue Talbot Family Treasures Wall
Date Sat 24 Oct - Sun 28 Feb, open daily 10am-5pm
Entry Free
Bipotaim: Stories from the Torres Strait
Powerful black and white photographs and personal accounts from the 1967 referendum will be on display in The Studio from February. Bipotaim: Stories from the Torres Strait documents stories from four communities in the Torres Strait and their recollection of events before and after the referendum.
The 1967 referendum saw more than 90 per cent of eligible Australians vote “Yes” for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to be included in the national census and gave the Commonwealth Government power to make laws for all Australian people. It is often referred as the first step in the reconciliation process.
The Bipotaim (before time) exhibition is on loan from the Gab Titui Cultural Centre on Thursday Island and features striking portraits taken by photographer David Callow, combined with personal accounts of the impact of the referendum.
The people of the Torres Strait have a proud and powerful history, which traditional story-tellers have treasured and kept intact for centuries. It is a history that celebrates those who inspired and shaped their own communities. It acknowledges people who fostered a spirit of cultural strength and identity, uniting the inhabitants across the region of more than 200 islands.
Now these traditional story-tellers talk of a more urgent story, noting that unless the knowledge, history and stories of the past are formally recorded, they will be lost forever.
Venue The Studio, level 1
Date Sat 13 Feb - Sun 16 May, open daily 10am-5pm
Entry Free
Christmas beetles
The illumination of the State Library building over the Christmas and New Year period is on again. The interior and exterior of the State Library will be decorated with individually crafted and glowing copper Christmas beetles to celebrate the festive season. Look out for them at the Stanley Place entrance and see how many you can find.
Venue Spot them at the Stanley Street entrance, Tognini’s, the Knowledge Walk and Reception.
Date Tue 1 Dec - Sat 31 Jan, open daily 10am to 5pm
Entry Free
Caring for the collections
Ever wondered how the State Library cares for its old books, newspapers and photographs? Want to know how to look after your own precious heirlooms? Then come and look at the display Caring for the Collections.
Every cultural institution has a responsibility to safeguard the collections with which it is entrusted. At the State Library, this important task is undertaken by the Collection Preservation Unit. This display wall contains windows into the staff work areas so that you can look 'behind the scenes' to see staff at work.
Venue Talbot Family Treasures Display Wall, level 5
Date Permanent Display
Entry Free
More information
- Email: publicprograms@slq.qld.gov.au
- Telephone: +61 7 3840 7768
- Ask us
- Visit us
School groups are encouraged to book for exhibitions tours. Please contact:
- Email: schools@slq.qld.gov.au
- Telephone: +61 7 3840 7903
Last updated: 20th November 2009
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