Creative Acts: Artists and their inspirations

Featuring new commissions by Australian creators including Peter Carey and Dr Deanne Gilson, the exhibition uncovers the spiritual connections, rituals and deeply personal quests that shape these artists' works. Witness how Joan Lindsay's Picnic at Hanging Rock came from a series of dreams, how Howard Arkley's Tudor Village series was inspired by Melbourne's Fitzroy Gardens and how bohemian icon Vali Myers drew from her spiritual connections with animals. Explore the process, passion and practice of five visionary Australian artists through new works commissioned by State Library Victoria: Peter Carey sheds light on how he wrote True History of the Kelly Gang. Dr Chandrabhanu OAM presents his magnum opus, the Dasamahavidya, a classical Odissi Indian dance work that is the culmination of his decades-long practice. Dr Deanne Gilson shares her Wadawurrung ancestors' Creation story through a powerful new work, Bundjil Morrgalyu Turt Barram Murrup / Bundjil and the Evening Star Spirits. Barry William Hale taps into the Library's collection of rare books on ancient magic and Surrealism to explain the process behind his monumental automatic drawing spanning nine metres. Bundit Puangthong weaves together childhood memories in a 12-metre painting that combines his influences of traditional Thai temple painting and Melbourne's graffiti culture.