Exhibitions

Plantation Voices is State Library’s portal to Australian South Sea Islander culture and history in Queensland.

Home: a suburban obsession is about the allure of home and the stories found within, inspired by one of the largest digitised photographic collections of Queensland houses. It explores the social and emotional foundations of our houses through ephemera and artistic responses capturing the places we call home.

The inspiring history of Palm Island is celebrated in a fascinating showcase of images, memorabilia and digital stories. Palm Island and Our People acknowledges the centenary of the first placement of people to the island as an Aboriginal Reserve and explores the history of this tropical paradise.

Characterised by sun, surf and sand, Queensland islands are popularly seen as paradises and playgrounds. But due to their geographic isolation, life on the islands can be far from idyllic.

Join the State Library of Queensland in marking the 30th anniversary of the 1982 Commonwealth Games when Brisbane came alive with political demonstrations for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander civil liberties.

From drinking, smoking and gambling to voting, marrying and travelling — and everything in between — what are the freedoms that Queenslanders take for granted?

Today’s Australian South Sea Islanders have a special place in Queensland’s cultural diversity and history. They are the descendants of South Sea Islanders brought to Queensland from 1863 to 1904 from 80 Melanesian islands to work the State’s cotton and sugar plantations.

Ten years ago, students of the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts researched, wrote and performed a stage show called Reflections: Referendum 40 years and to the future at Queensland Performing Arts Centre under the artistic direction of Leah Purcell.

Awakening South East Queensland historical traditions through contemporary art, Art of the Skins revitalised the practice of possum skin cloak making.