Exhibition set for Cobram launch

The Juvenilia exhibition features childhood works - some over 50 years old - by a plethora of renown Australian authors and illustrators, including Andy Griffith, Alison Lester and Ursula Dubosarsky.

Author and curator of Juvenilia Aimee Chan said what differentiates the exhibition from others is that is shows rare and intimate pieces from some of Australia’s best loved children’s authors and illustrators.

“These are pieces you will not see anywhere else - they have been pulled out from under mum’s bed, the back shed,” she said.

The exhibition has toured regional Victoria, NSW, South Australia and the ACT since January last year.

Aimee said the focus on the regions was intentional.

“The exhibition has had a greater impact because the communities that receive it are very grateful,” she said.

The exhibition showcases the work of adult creators who have made it their profession to create work for children.

Aimee said that visitors to the exhibition are emotionally moved because they can see parts of themselves and their own childhoods reflected in what they see.

“It’s very emotional because it really takes people straight back into that moment of what it was like to sit at your desk and create your picture book,” she said.

“As an adult, you also are seeing things printed in old form computers that we don’t have any more - pieces that are typed with old school typewriters.”

“You can see the red marks where teachers have crossed out spelling mistakes.”

Aimee, an accomplished author in her own right, had the idea for the exhibition after she realised the potential of her own childhood works to inspire other creatives.

She reached out to other authors, whose collective response was overwhelmingly positive.

“They’re really excited to see people are interested in these pieces that they also have been holding on to,” Aimee said.

“The message of the exhibition is we all start somewhere - nobody is born with a best-selling book. Everyone starts with a little scrap of paper.”

The exhibition has since January 2023 toured places such as Shepparton, Euroa, Canberra, and the Bendigo Writer’s Festival.

Cobram is the last stop on the exhibition’s tour.

A free launch event will be held at the Cobram Library at noon on Saturday, November 9. Light refreshments will be provided.

The free exhibition will be available for guests to view during the Cobram Library’s normal opening hours from November 9 to December 6.

Find out more information on the launch event and exhibition by contacting Cobram Library on 1300 374 765. Alternatively, email cobram@gvlibraries.com.au.