The Illumination

The Guardians by Matthew Aberline

The Guardians is an immersive, inflatable artwork featuring towering, monolithic beacons that celebrate the extraordinary beauty and diversity of Australian wildflowers. With their abstract, vibrant designs, The Guardians create a striking and colourful presence, transforming into a magical landscape when illuminated from within. Visitors are invited to explore and lose themselves in this dynamic and unique installation.

Created by acclaimed artist Matthew Aberline in collaboration with The Beautiful and Useful Studio, The Guardians makes its debut in Canberra, presented in the forecourt of the National Library of Australia. Ranging from smaller circular forms—measuring five meters in circumference and two meters tall—to massive hexagonal structures that soar four meters into the sky and span eight meters around, the artwork is both monumental and inviting.

This stunning installation is more than a visual spectacle — it’s a celebration of heritage. Drawing on Aberline’s personal connection to the Australian Landscape, having grown up in both the Pilbara and the Whitsundays, the artwork reflects his family’s deep ties to the natural world, and the cultural rituals around flowers. From his grandmother to his mother and sister, flowers have always been a means of expression in his family, symbolizing joy, love, and even sorrow.

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, The Guardians serves as a gateway to the Library’s incredible collection. Australian wildflowers and flora are deeply embedded in our cultural identity, and this installation draws attention to the Library’s wealth of materials that document our unique environment.
Visitors are invited to journey through The Guardians, some of which feature kinetic lighting that shifts and transforms the artwork’s colours, adding an enchanting, interactive dimension.

Discover the breathtaking patterns and vibrant hues of Australian wildflowers with The Guardians, and let them inspire you to explore the treasures inside the National Library of Australia.

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The Artist

Matthew Aberline is an Australian artist whose creative practice bridges public art, community engagement, and immersive experiences. With a career spanning over two decades, Aberline has become renowned for his innovative approach to public art, crafting large-scale installations that engage audiences and transform spaces.

Aberline’s work is deeply rooted in storytelling, collaboration, and the exploration of identity. Integrating vibrant hand crafted textiles, bold geometric forms, and inflatables, his pieces reflect his design background in fashion and his passion for creating inclusive, participatory art that resonates with diverse communities.

Highlights of his career include acclaimed projects such as Sculpture by the Sea in Bondi, where his inflatable installations engaged thousands of daily visitors; Becoming the Path of Least Resistance at the Art Gallery of NSW, a collaborative textile artwork that invited audience participation; and Fabulous – Acts of Protest and Celebration, a year-long installation at the Powerhouse Museum documenting the evolution of LGBTQI+ rights in Australia. His latest project, The Guardians, a collaboration with by the National Library of Australia, is a deeply personal exploration of family and connection. The work celebrates the Australian landscape and native flowers with richly coloured patterns, and ties to his own history, including the legacy of his mother, whose writing is part of the National Library’s collection.

Driven by a mission to make art accessible, Aberline prioritises community involvement and strives to create works that inspire and unite. His dedication to innovation has not only earned him acclaim but has also redefined public art as a medium for connection, storytelling and social activism.

Currently, Aberline is exploring themes of gratitude, happiness, and identity, drawing on his Queer and French-Australian heritage. Each new project builds on his legacy of turning public art into a platform for celebration, transformation, and joy.

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