Enlighten 2025: The Guardians at the National Library

The Guardians by Matthew Aberline. Photo: National Library of Australia.

As part of the Enlighten Festival, the National Library of Australia welcomes ‘The Guardians’ to the podium area.

The Guardians is an immersive, inflatable artwork featuring towering beacons that celebrate the beauty and diversity of Australian wildflowers. With vibrant, abstract designs, these structures create a striking presence, transforming into a magical landscape when illuminated from within.

Artwork from The Guardians will also be projected on to the building.

About the artwork

Making its debut at the National Library, The Guardians was created by artist Matthew Aberline in collaboration with The Beautiful and Useful Studio. The artwork ranges from smaller, two-metre-tall forms to massive hexagonal structures soaring four metres high and spanning eight metres in circumference, blending monumentality with invitation.

Due to building works and scaffolding at the front of the Library building during the festival period, the Enlighten programming looks a little different this year. The decision has been made to reduce the usual programming activity and instead support an artist by facilitating the installation of The Guardians.

The Details

What: Enlighten 2025: The Guardians at the National Library
When: Friday, 28 February to Monday, 10 March 2025 from 6pm to 11pm
Where: National Library of Australia, Parkes Place
Cost: Free with no bookings required. Learn more on the National Library of Australia website.