At State Library of Queensland, there are always many of the faces walking around the building, talking to someone, or engaged in their own world. Have you ever wondered who they are behind those faces? Do they cheer for the Broncos? Do they say "togs" or "swimmers"? Do they add milk to their tea?
Greg, from Wellington Point, knows where to find a little peace. He finds inner calm among plants and books, and a moment of quiet retreat in his secret corner at State Library of Queensland.
What has brought you to the library today?
Just a bit of peace. This part of the library (kuril dhagun) is very peaceful, and I like spending some time here. Lately, I’ve been coming here quite often.
Hyperlink: kuril dhagun | State Library of Queensland
What is one of your best achievements in your career?
That would have to be my nursery achievements. I worked as a nursery man with Queensland Rail for 40 years.
If you could take something home from State Library, what would it be?
I’ll take lots of interesting books. I love reading. But I prefer physical books over screens. I'm old-fashioned, and I'm not going to change my ways.
What are you reading now if you don't mind sharing?
A bit of everything. I don't limit myself to any one subject. I enjoy exploring different kinds of books. If I don't understand some of them, I just put them aside and try another one. At the very least, I like to give every book a chance.
Do you have one book recommendation at all?
To Kill a Mockingbird. It’s a classic. It’s definitely worth reading.
If you were playing hide-and-seek, where would be your hiding spot in State Library?
I'd hide inside a book. Probably Alice in Wonderland.
When life gets busy with study, work, and family, it can be difficult to maintain a friendship. Even a few streets away can feel like a long distance. But it looks like these two friends, Destiny and Manahil, have found a way to both meet up and study—they’re kill two birds with one stone.
What has brought you both to the library today?
We study at two different universities, UQ and QUT, and were trying to find a place in between where we could meet up and study together. This is our first time at State Library, and although we haven’t explored everything here yet, we already think this is the perfect place for us. It has great view, and so much to discover.
Can you describe State Library in three words?
Aesthetic. Motivational. Peaceful.
In the Open Lab of State Library, there are lots of equipment and resources, such as 3D printers and laser cutters, to support everyone’s creative ideas and projects. If you could make anything there, what would you create?
Destiny: I'm currently studying anatomy, so I would probably print a human skull or another anatomical model.
Manahil: I would love to print a heart—some kind of anatomical structures as well.
What is something you wish you knew earlier about State Library?
I wish I had known there are so many different places to sit and study. I didn't realise how many levels there are, each with different purpose. You can just go and choose a space that suits your needs.
If you were playing hide-and-seek, where would you hide in State Library?
We would probably hide in one of those small reading rooms at level 4, where there are individual study zones. Maybe even around the ceilings—no one could find us!
Today, we met Jo, a new program officer from the Applied Creativity team. Grew up in Portland, Oregon, he is currently living in Yeerongpilly.
What do you like the most about your job here?
In the short time that I've been here at State Library, what I enjoy the most is the social dynamic. I’ve had a lot more interactions with friends, both old friends and new friends that I meet here. The central location, along with the way the spaces are designed, has helped me rekindle relationships with people I might not otherwise see often.
Can you please tell us your background as a creative person?
My background sits primarily between music and animation. Currently I'm in the space between textiles and music, although animation continues to present in almost everything that I do.
Could you tell us one of the most important moments of your career?
One of most formative projects for me, both as an artist and collaborator, was working on Vivid in 2019 with my friend Josh Wilkinson. I initially knew him through his parents, whom I knew from palaeontology. They mentioned that he had started a recording studio and suggested we connect if I ever came to Brisbane. We ended up collaborating on a project that led us to Vivid, and through that festival, I built many professional relationships. For example, I worked with Atelier Sisu, which opened opportunities for me to travel interstate and internationally, including Saudi Arabia. Working with Josh Wilinson at Vivid was like an auto-catalytic moment in my career.
What do you do outside of your work at State Library?
I wear multiple hats. Professionally, I work as a freelance artist working across animation and lighting installation, also I perform as a musician. I make carpets—it’s a new musical interface, increasingly becoming more of a musical activity. In a few weeks, I'll be performing with a carpet gun as a musical instrument at the Institute of Modern Art.
If you were a Queensland animal, which would you be, and why?
That’s great question. I love all those animals, especially koalas and kangaroos. But if I had to pick one, I would pick the cassowary. It appears ancient and kind of scary, yet it's so beautiful with all the vivid colours. I feel a little bit of tenderness towards the cassowary because they are often misunderstood. People thought they’re violent, but in real life, they're quite gentle unless provoked.
Sometimes, to get things done, you can turn off social media, set yourself a deadline, or reward yourself at the end. But for Ruth, one of her secrets is coming to State Library of Queensland—even if it means travelling all the way from the Gold Coast.
Ruth is a tutor at Queensland University of Technology, a PHD student at University of Western Sydney, and more. Let’s find out!
What has brought you to the library today?
I was having a Zoom meeting with a group in Aotearoa, New Zealand, who are involved in teaching Te Reo Māori online. Te Reo Māori is the primary language in New Zealand, and many people are interested in learning it. I'm currently training to become a teacher. At the moment, I'm a tautoko, which means I'm learning to be a support person in the class, but I hope to become a kaimahi, which is an actual teacher of Te Reo Māori. Today, I was practising teaching on Zoom with some of my peers.
In State Library, is there any spaces that you feel mostly connected to?
I love this space (reading rooms of the Black Opium artwork on level 4), the outdoor space, and the reading libraries. I often find myself returning to these places and staying for several hours. For example, when I'm writing my exegesis, I can hyperfocus and work without distractions. It's a really good space for me to be in.
Hyperlink: Black Opium by Fiona Foley | State Library of Queensland
What does State Library of Queensland mean to you?
It's a safe and inclusive place for me. I really value this highly privileged precinct. The exhibitions are interesting and provide different points of view. I think the only thing I'd suggest is to relocate them to a more visible floor so that more people can walk into it.
In your opinion, what is the best view in State Library?
The river views are always the best. I really enjoy sitting along the river side, as well as in the inside spaces with river view. It's simply a place to be and compliments with the gallery experience as well.
What is something you wish you knew earlier about State Library?
I have nothing, really. This was one of the first places I discovered when I moved to Australia in early 2007 while I was doing my master’s degree. It immediately became a hub for me. It has everything I wanted. Coming here has been a habit, and it's really lovely working within proximity of it.
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