Media Release
10 February 2026
Semaphore Score is a new exhibition by inaugural Creative Fellow Margaret Woodward, launching on Friday 13 February 2026 at the State Library and Archives of Tasmania in Hobart.
Media are invited to an exclusive preview of Semaphore Score in the Allport Library and Museum of Fine Arts at 11:00 am on Friday 13 February 2026.
Margaret’s work is inspired by the 1868 Tasman Peninsula – Semaphore Code Dictionary, a colonial dictionary used to send coded messages between the penal settlement at Port Arthur and Nipaluna/Hobart.
‘It is exciting to see the first exhibition to emerge from the Creative Fellowships program. Margaret has been immersed in the State Library and Archives of Tasmania collection to develop this poignant response,’ said Patrick Gregory, Executive Director Libraries Tasmania.
In her work, Woodward asks – and answers – the question: ‘How can we transform a military communication system into one that expresses care and stewardship?’
The exhibition features large, handmade semaphore flags dyed using local plants. Each grouping of flags translates into a code number, which visitors can decipher using the artist’s revised semaphore code book.
Semaphore Score also includes videos of signalling performances, shown alongside archival material from the State Library and Archives of Tasmania collection.
Visitors are invited to take a seat in the Allport Library and Museum of Fine Arts and create their own messages. These messages will be transcribed into a crowd-sourced message log, ready for signalling.
A series of public events and artist talks will take place throughout the exhibition period, featuring live decoding, language building, and performance.
‘Semaphore Score reimagines a historically masculine, penal language as something alive with empathy, connection and creative possibility for audiences today,’ said curator Theia Connell.
The following people will be available for interview at the media preview:
- Margaret Woodward, Artist and Creative Fellow
- Theia Connell, Exhibition Curator
- Ross Latham, Director Collections and State Archivist
You can also visit the Libraries Tasmania webpage to learn more about the exhibition and book free tickets for the Semaphore Score exhibition talks and events series.
Semaphore Score
14 February 2026 – 31 May 2026
State Library and Archives of Tasmania
Allport Library and Museum of Fine Arts
Ground Floor, 91 Murray Street, Nipaluna/Hobart, Lutruwita/Tasmania
Communications and Marketing – 6165 6386 or 0417 465 669
