Enchanted dome: the Library and imagination

Date

Tuesday 1 January 2013 - Sunday 14 July 2013

Cost

Free

Venue

Cowen Gallery
Level 2a, Main entry, Swanston St

The State Library’s domed La Trobe Reading Room is a Melbourne icon, a space that has inspired writers and artists since it opened on 14 November 1913.

This exhibition celebrates the dome’s forthcoming 100th anniversary, featuring representations of the dome in art and literature from the 1950s to today. They include prints by Marco Luccio, paintings by Louise Forthun, cartoons by Oslo Davis and Barry Dickins, and photographs by John Gollings and Mark Strizic. Writers represented include Ray Lawler, Shane Maloney and Arnold Zable.

Historian Stuart Macintyre described the dome as a ‘magical hidden place’. This idea resonates through this display, from Cernak’s whimsical ink drawings to Rick Amor’s brooding canvas of the dome at night.

This is a free event, open during Library hours.

Image gallery

View our Enchanted dome image gallery to view some highlights of the exhibition.

Our Dome Centenary

Visit our Dome Centenary website and join us for a year of stories, activities and special events as we head towards the 100th anniversary of our iconic dome in November 2013.