Make Believe

Encounters with Misinformation

Misinformation is everywhere. It filters our view of the world, influencing our beliefs and actions in ways both subtle and profound.

But what fuels it, and why do we believe the make-believe?

This exhibition explores how human choices, psychology and biases contribute to the spread of misinformation.

At the centre of the gallery, a video work reflects on why we keep falling for misinformation – exploring its causes, consequences and possible remedies.

Surrounding this, four rooms present case studies that open up the topic in unexpected ways. Here, Victorian-based artists and academics respond to objects and stories from State Library Victoria’s collection, modelling how curiosity, critical thinking and thoughtful research can help us navigate the unrelenting flow of information today.

Free exhibition

Date

16 April 2025 – 18 January 2026

Location

Free exhibition
Keith Murdoch Gallery,
State Library Victoria

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Exhibition highlights

1/7

Charlotte Allingham

Meet the contributors

Russel Howcroft

Russel Howcroft is an advertising executive, author, and TV and radio presenter.

Helen O’Connell AO

Professor Helen O’Connell is an academic urologist based in Melbourne. She is Australia’s first female urologist.

Scotty So

Scotty So is a Melbourne-based artist who works across photography, video, sculpture and performance.

Exhibition Case Studies

CASE STUDY 1: Advertising, Australia and distorting reality

Confronting the myth of terra nullius is central to all the work of Wiradjuri and Ngiyampaa artist Charlotte Allingham.

CASE STUDY 2: Photography, archives and falling for fakes

Artist Scotty So playfully explores our natural inclination to conflate beauty with truth.

CASE STUDY 3: Anatomy, biases and understanding the clitoris

For centuries, medical textbooks misrepresented the anatomy of the clitoris – until 1998, when local urologist Professor Helen O’Connell AO became the first person to accurately map this organ in full.