Elephants by Tom O’Hern

Elephants is a commissioned artwork by Tasmanian artist Tom O’Hern, created for State Library and Archives of Tasmania through the Tasmanian Government Art Site Scheme.

The work features 133 black-and-white paintings, each measuring 30cm × 30cm and painted on wooden boards. Each painting features a symbol or glyph inspired by specific objects or general themes from the library’s collection.

Tom describes these symbols as a fresh kind of hieroglyph or even ancient style emojis, forming a unique Tasmanian alphabet.

Together, the artwork may look like a bookshelf, a filing system, or even the modernist design of the State Library and Archives building itself. Each square acts as a window into a different idea.

Artist Tom O’Hern is based in Nipaluna/Hobart. His work includes murals, paintings, animations, sculptures, and drawings. His creative aim is to bring a sense of spontaneity and wildness back into urban spaces.

Tom has worked as a public artist for over 20 years. He especially enjoys creating collaborative pieces with young people and artworks for educational institutions, including kindergarten installations through to high schools. His murals have also appeared in nightclubs, galleries, and alleyways across Tasmania.

Tom holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honours from the University of Tasmania (2006). He has exhibited widely across Australia and has completed artist residencies in Hobart, France, and China.

You can view Elephants on the Ground Floor of State Library and Archives of Tasmania building, 91 Murray Street, Nipaluna/Hobart.