Window on Collections: Modern Maps

A blueprint of history!

A map gives you a glimpse into how people understood and interpreted their world at the time of creation; with personal experiences at the heart of the work, no map will look the same.

The Library collects a broad range of maps primarily focusing on Victoria. However, Australian and international maps also form a significant part of the collection in reflecting our place within the broader national and global context.

Led by Sarah Ryan – Senior Librarian Victorian and Australian Collections – join us for an evening of presentations by three local creators of modern maps to learn more about the craft and their interpretation of the world.

A sample of works by the creators will be displayed after the presentations.

Presenters

• Melinda Clarke is the founder of City Maps Illustrated Pty Ltd and has published illustrated maps of Melbourne and the Bellarine Peninsula.
• Adam Mattinson is a cartographer who produces Tolkien-style maps of the Yarra Ranges.
• Miles Howard-Wilks is an artist whose recent works use the metropolitan train lines to map a guide to the best snacks in Melbourne. His presentation will be through a pre-recorded video presented by Arts Project Australia.
• Luciano is the co-creator of Queer-ways, a community arts initiative to map the queer cartography of Australia.

Please note: this event will also be livestreamed. 

State Library Victoria Cultural, Family & Student members get early access to our upcoming events. To get your tickets ahead of the crowd, become a member today. 

About Melinda Clarke

Melinda is the founder and producer of City Maps Illustrated and published her first Melbourne Map in 1990. Twenty-five years later, she returned to her love of creating detailed illustrated maps and, together with a small team of artists, produced The Melbourne Map circa 2019. She loves sharing stories of the four-year process of completing each project and encouraging the next generation of map-makers.   

About Adam Mattinson

Adam is a cartographer, spatial data analyst and all-around map nerd. Exploring cartography over the last few decades, his maps challenge the perception of known geography by turning the Shire of Yarra Ranges into a hobbit’s ‘Shire’ map in one map and in another, imagining a Melbourne where every tram and train proposal got the green light.

About Miles Howard-Wilks 

Miles is a multi-disciplinary artist specialising in painting, ceramics, photography and digital art. Thematically his practice is distinctly Australian, featuring landscapes and seascapes with recurring motifs of iconic animals, landmarks and transport. While the imagery in 2D work often combines several themes in one complex vision, Miles is singular in his focus, creating detailed compositions featuring trams, magpies and reptiles and their eggs and bones with character and elegance. 

About Luciano

Luciano is a Melbourne-based arts educator and multidisciplinary artist. In collaboration with George Keats and the Australian Queer Archives, he established Queer-ways, a community arts initiative to map the queer cartography of Australia.

Background information on Arts Project Australia (APA) 

A creative social enterprise that supports artists with intellectual disabilities, promotes their work and advocates for their inclusion in contemporary art practice. 

APA offers creative and accessible studio spaces for artists and a gallery to showcase the work of their artists.