And Zarafa Kept Walking features an image of Zarafa, the first giraffe to be seen in France in the year 1826. She arrived as an exotic gift and political ploy from Muhammad Ali of Egypt to King Charles X. To the delight of many onlookers, she walked from Marseilles to Paris carrying with her perhaps a few feathered friends. She inspired tall hairstyles à la girafe, and prompted Honoré de Balzac to write a story about her. Gracia Haby and Louise Jennison have collaborated as ‘Gracia and Louise’ since 2002, exploring their mutual fascination with the adaptable possibilities of paper and creating works from found images to produce artists' books, prints, zines, drawings, and collages.

Gracia Haby and Louise Jennison have been creative collaborators since 1999, working together to make artist books, zines, collages, drawings, prints and stories. In this artwork, the animals have the upper hand. They are turning the tables on French acrobat, circus owner, and animal trainer, Alfred Court (1883-1977). In 1925, Court's menagerie boasted a collection of 25 lions, 8 tigers, 9 hyenas, 7 wolves, 3 cougars, 12 polar bears, 16 panthers and leopards, 5 jaguars, 2 cheetahs, and an extensive assemblage of exotic animals, including antelopes, llamas, and camels, alongside several monkeys, porcupines, and mongooses. Haby and Jennison’s collaboration explores their mutual fascination with the adaptable possibilities of paper and found images.

“Maybe here” is a constant thought running through the back of my mind that something might happen where I’m standing. Tension builds at the slightest sound or suggestion of movement. How much of this fear is self-perpetuated and how much of it is warranted. How different would my experience be if I was someone else.This series is a departure from Janelle Low’s conceptual interests around Australian identity and multiculturalism. Using the project as a vehicle to confront and challenge her own personal concerns as well as a means to represent a more universal female experience.Donated by the artist

“Maybe here” is a constant thought running through the back of my mind that something might happen where I’m standing. Tension builds at the slightest sound or suggestion of movement. How much of this fear is self-perpetuated and how much of it is warranted. How different would my experience be if I was someone else.This series is a departure from Janelle’s conceptual interests around Australian identity and multiculturalism. Using the project as a vehicle to confront and challenge her own personal concerns as well as a means to represent a more universal female experience.

“Maybe here” is a constant thought running through the back of my mind that something might happen where I’m standing. Tension builds at the slightest sound or suggestion of movement. How much of this fear is self-perpetuated and how much of it is warranted. How different would my experience be if I was someone else.This series is a departure from Janelle’s conceptual interests around Australian identity and multiculturalism. Using the project as a vehicle to confront and challenge her own personal concerns as well as a means to represent a more universal female experience.

Shaun Tan is best known for his illustrated books and short films that deal with social, political and historical subjects through dream-like imagery and fantastic creatures. In addition to his book and film work, Tan is a respected and prolific painter. Octopus 2 is one of three paintings of Anstey Station, which is next to Tan’s art studio. Nearby, there is an octopus painted on the roller door of a bait shop. Tan observes that the octopus is usually only visible at night, and then not very well: "It is an eerie vision, a bit comical too. There is something about the tucked-away grouping of high and low walls, the amber light and the jumble of signage that I find very evocative, as if there is some spirit being tucked up in this unlooked-at pocket of the rail-line”.

Shaun Tan is best known for his illustrated books and short films that deal with social, political and historical subjects through dream-like imagery and fantastic creatures. In addition to his book and film work, Tan is a respected and prolific painter. Tan’s paintings capture a sense of place and atmosphere, even when the specific location is not made explicit. Tan says of his practice: “Often I don’t know why I need to paint a certain scene, only that I do, as if to stop it from drifting away too quickly, to just allow a little more time to think about it. Or to just say ‘I saw this’”.

Aunty Marlene Gilson is a Wathaurong (Wadawurrung) Elder who lives on Country in the Ballarat area. A self-taught artist, Gilson has received considerable acclaim and attention for her painting of historic encounters, in particular with regard to the retelling of events in which early colonial depictions excluded First Nations people. Marngrook Football depicts the first game of Australian Rules football played between Ballarat and Geelong while a parallel game of Marngrook takes place within view.

This painting is a tribute to a country that has slowly revealed itself over many years of my life. In the last 3 years I have made strong connections to my country through a very special elder, my cousin, Uncle John. He has shown me old Ngarigo cultural belongings, taken me to some sacred sites, and told me many stories about my people, the Ngarigo, the snow people. The stories have been happy and many very sad, and much of it has taken me time to process, including the destruction of sacred places and past massacres. Commissioned for the Merri-bek Art Collection 2017

Rennie Ellis (1940–2003) was as a pivotal figure in Australian visual culture. He was both a documentary photographer and a prominent presence in advertising, television and photography. Ellis was known for his candid documentary images of contemporary Australian life. His photographs of social events, such as music festivals, fashion parades or nightclubs are iconic, but his practice also encompassed the grittier side of life. In his AFL series, Ellis skilfully portrays the nation’s passion for the game, extending his lens beyond the boundary line to showcase the spirited fans alongside the on-field action.

Rennie Ellis (1940–2003) was as a pivotal figure in Australian visual culture. He was both a documentary photographer and a prominent presence in advertising, television and photography. Ellis was known for his candid documentary images of contemporary Australian life. His photographs of social events, such as music festivals, fashion parades or nightclubs are iconic, but his practice also encompassed the grittier side of life. In his AFL series, Ellis skilfully portrays the nation’s passion for the game, extending his lens beyond the boundary line to showcase the spirited fans alongside the on-field action. In Ellis' photo, a woman streaks at an AFL game – two players stand in frame with her, a Richmond and Collingwood player respectively. Behind them the crowd and a large Richmond banner can be seen. Playful and spirited interactions such as this are a key aspect of Australian football culture.

Rennie Ellis (1940–2003) was as a pivotal figure in Australian visual culture. He was both a documentary photographer and a prominent presence in advertising, television and photography. Ellis was known for his candid documentary images of contemporary Australian life. His photographs of social events, such as music festivals, fashion parades or nightclubs are iconic, but his practice also encompassed the grittier side of life. In his AFL series, Ellis skilfully portrays the nation’s passion for the game, extending his lens beyond the boundary line to showcase the spirited fans alongside the on-field action. In Ellis' photo, a young police officer stands on the stadium ground with his arms sternly crossed, while the crowd waits for the game. This photo highlights the tension between passionate crowds and the police at AFL games.

Rennie Ellis (1940–2003) was as a pivotal figure in Australian visual culture. He was both a documentary photographer and a prominent presence in advertising, television and photography. Ellis was known for his candid documentary images of contemporary Australian life. His photographs of social events, such as music festivals, fashion parades or nightclubs are iconic, but his practice also encompassed the grittier side of life. In his AFL series, Ellis skilfully portrays the nation’s passion for the game, extending his lens beyond the boundary line to showcase the spirited fans alongside the on-field action.

Rennie Ellis (1940–2003) was as a pivotal figure in Australian visual culture. He was both a documentary photographer and a prominent presence in advertising, television and photography. Ellis was known for his candid documentary images of contemporary Australian life. His photographs of social events, such as music festivals, fashion parades or nightclubs are iconic, but his practice also encompassed the grittier side of life. In his AFL series, Ellis skilfully portrays the nation’s passion for the game, extending his lens beyond the boundary line to showcase the spirited fans alongside the on-field action.Donated by the Rennie Ellis Photographic Archive

Rennie Ellis (1940–2003) was as a pivotal figure in Australian visual culture. He was both a documentary photographer and a prominent presence in advertising, television and photography. Ellis was known for his candid documentary images of contemporary Australian life. His photographs of social events, such as music festivals, fashion parades or nightclubs are iconic, but his practice also encompassed the grittier side of life. In his AFL series, Ellis skilfully portrays the nation’s passion for the game, extending his lens beyond the boundary line to showcase the spirited fans alongside the on-field action.Donated by the Rennie Ellis Photographic Archive

Rennie Ellis (1940–2003) was as a pivotal figure in Australian visual culture. He was both a documentary photographer and a prominent presence in advertising, television and photography. Ellis was known for his candid documentary images of contemporary Australian life. His photographs of social events, such as music festivals, fashion parades or nightclubs are iconic, but his practice also encompassed the grittier side of life. In his AFL series, Ellis skilfully portrays the nation’s passion for the game, extending his lens beyond the boundary line to showcase the spirited fans alongside the on-field action.Donated by the Rennie Ellis Photographic Archive

Rennie Ellis (1940–2003) was as a pivotal figure in Australian visual culture. He was both a documentary photographer and a prominent presence in advertising, television and photography. Ellis was known for his candid documentary images of contemporary Australian life. His photographs of social events, such as music festivals, fashion parades or nightclubs are iconic, but his practice also encompassed the grittier side of life. In his AFL series, Ellis skilfully portrays the nation’s passion for the game, extending his lens beyond the boundary line to showcase the spirited fans alongside the on-field action.Donated by the Rennie Ellis Photographic Archive

Rennie Ellis (1940–2003) was as a pivotal figure in Australian visual culture. He was both a documentary photographer and a prominent presence in advertising, television and photography. Ellis was known for his candid documentary images of contemporary Australian life. His photographs of social events, such as music festivals, fashion parades or nightclubs are iconic, but his practice also encompassed the grittier side of life. In his AFL series, Ellis skilfully portrays the nation’s passion for the game, extending his lens beyond the boundary line to showcase the spirited fans alongside the on-field action. In Ellis’ photograph Malcom Fraser, VFL Grand Final 1979 we see a young supporter shake hands with Liberal Prime Minister, Malcom Fraser. In the grand Australian tradition, politicians and PMs are active in the football sphere. This work was shown in the 2017 Counihan Gallery exhibition Leather Poisoning, along with many other works by Ellis capturing the nations love of the game. Donated by the Rennie Ellis Photographic Archive

Rennie Ellis (1940–2003) was as a pivotal figure in Australian visual culture. He was both a documentary photographer and a prominent presence in advertising, television and photography. Ellis was known for his candid documentary images of contemporary Australian life. His photographs of social events, such as music festivals, fashion parades or nightclubs are iconic, but his practice also encompassed the grittier side of life. In his AFL series, Ellis skilfully portrays the nation’s passion for the game, extending his lens beyond the boundary line to showcase the spirited fans alongside the on-field action.Donated by the Rennie Ellis Photographic Archive

Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program by Lauraine Diggins OAM

Donated by Peter Cox

Donated through the Commonwealth Government's Cultural Gifts Program by Samuel Condon

Carol Porter’s artwork Don’t get mad, get elected! features a woman towering over Parliament House in Canberra. Below her, tiny suit-clad politicians run screaming as she holds one of their colleagues upside-down, and another tumbles from her grasp. The look on her face is cool and determined; it is a reversal of the more common horror poster trope of ‘damsel in distress’. Porter says of the work: ‘It was tapping into the fact that women should get into power and make a difference’. Porter is a contemporary political cartoonist and poster artist who has worked out of Melbourne since the 1970s. She uses humour in her social commentary on various Australian issues and is well known for the prints she produced at RedPlanet – the alternative poster press inspired by an anti-elitist mission to reconnect art with communities. The poster was commissioned by the Victorian Women’s Trust. It first appeared on Melbourne billboards in 1997, a year after the federal election that swept John Howard to power.Donated by the artist