Now open at State Library Victoria, Make Believe: Encounters with Misinformation offers visitors a chance to explore one of today’s most pressing issues through an imaginative lens.
This innovative exhibition transforms the Library’s Keith Murdoch Gallery into an immersive space where mirrors, glowing green visuals reminiscent of 1990s screensavers, and interactive elements invite contemplation about how we process information in the digital age.
The exhibition cleverly juxtaposes historical materials from the Library’s collections with newly commissioned works by Victorian artists, creating a dialogue that challenges visitors to consider not just what they believe, but why they believe it. Through four thought-provoking themes, Make Believe examines how misinformation shapes our understanding of the world.
The first theme, Our Planet, features work by Wiradjuri and Ngiyampaa artist Charlotte Allingham, who re-examines the myth of terra nullius through the lens of 1960s advertising. Her pieces restore Indigenous presence in the narrative while revealing how environmental messages have been manipulated.
Photography’s reliability in the age of deepfakes comes under scrutiny in Our Histories, where artist Scotty So employs beauty, queerness and humor to question what makes archives trustworthy. The exhibition then turns to Our Bodies, with a powerful collaboration between Professor Helen O’Connell, Anita Brown-Major and Dr Jennifer Hayes that exposes centuries of misinformation about female anatomy and its lingering impact on medical knowledge.
Finally, Our Freedoms presents work by Dr Sofi Basseghi, who draws on her Iranian heritage to demonstrate how women’s voices persist through art and poetry despite suppression.
More than just a display of artworks, Make Believe creates an engaging experience that encourages visitors to pause and examine their own beliefs. The exhibition runs until 26 January 2026 and will be complemented by a series of public programs, including the return of the Library’s popular Up Late series on June 12, featuring panel discussions, performances and creative encounters.
For more information about the exhibition and related events, visit slv.vic.gov.au/whats-on/make-believe.
