National Library of Australia
The Illumination
The Page Turner by Eleanor and Giovanni
This stunning and laboriously created stop-motion animated work will depict the adventures of a young Australian as they embark on a journey of curiosity and learning through reading. Exploring amazing jungles and subterranean caverns, navigating the vast oceans, and battling terrifying monsters inspired by classic children’s stories – The Page Turner will develop his own voice as a writer and pass the torch of knowledge onto the next generation of readers.
Taking inspiration from the National Library of Australia’s vast collection, The Page Turner is created using a combination of stop motion puppet animation, pop-up and tunnel books, all hand made using paper to give the viewer the experience of being inside a book. The work contains clever references to the Library and some of its special collection items – asking the viewer to keep their eyes peeled for glimpses of Captain Moonlite’s lantern, or beautiful wings inspired by the Library’s Leonard French windows.
You can also join award-winning animators and artists Eleanor & Giovanni for a Figurine painting workshop on Saturday 28 February. In this session, participants will paint and keep a limited-edition maquette (model) of the page turner character featured in the beautiful stop motion animation projected on our building during the Enlighten Festival. For more information head to the Library’s website here.
The Artists
Eleanor Evans and Giovanni Aguilar are Canberra based artists and animators working in intricately handcrafted stop motion animation.
Key to Eleanor and Giovanni’s collaboration is bringing together their different skills, with Eleanor’s work in experimental animation and Giovanni’s experience as a graphic designer and musician.
Eleanor and Giovanni met in 2016 while studying a master of stop motion animation at BAU design school in Barcelona. Since that time, they have worked together on more than 15 animated music videos and short films which have screened worldwide in film festivals as well as animated musical segments that have appeared on Nick. Jr and SBS.
Figurine painting workshop with Eleanor & Giovanni
Join award-winning animators and artists Eleanor & Giovanni for a workshop based on their Enlighten Festival 2026 illumination The Page Turner, created for the National Library of Australia on Saturday 28th of February
Artist display for National Library Illuminations
Visit The National Library foyer to learn more about the creation of the stop-motion animated work The Page Turner. Figurines and concept art will be on display, giving a behind-the-scenes look at the illuminations that will come to life.
The Night Shift
Enlighten: The Night Shift offers rare after-hours access to Canberra’s cultural institutions, with curated programs only available during the festival.
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