Author: Natasha Cantwell
Communications & Public Programming Officer
Rewind Forward brought together 5 artists who transformed discoveries made within the state’s archival collection into new creative works.
Through photographs, government records and handwritten documents, preserved by Public Record Office Victoria, they uncovered stories from Victoria's past that continue to resonate today.
Rewind Forward was originally presented at the Victorian Archives Centre Gallery through our Creative in Residence program. The exhibition was shortlisted for Small Project of the Year (Galleries) at the 2026 Victorian Museums and Galleries Awards.
In Victorian Vagrants, collaborators LUCIANO and George Keats of Queer-ways examine historical prosecutions for gender non-conforming presentation. Their miniature garments recreated the clothing worn at the time of arrest, with details from the original records printed onto custom fabric.
Historic tram and train tickets became the starting point for graphic designer Susan Fitzgerald's Return Fare. Through hand-painted and screen-printed works, she celebrated the individuality of these familiar objects and the stories they preserve.
Artist, filmmaker and performer Emile Zile's film Untitled began with traces of his own family in the archives. The work reflected on memory, bureaucracy and the relationships shaped by official records.
In Assisting Automation, illustrator, comics journalist and wharfie Sam Wallman responded to historic photographs of Melbourne's docks. His installation explored how changing technology has transformed the nature of work on the waterfront.
In a companion comic, he shares the story of Max, a drag performer and wharfie. The comic draws on archival research to reveal Max's experiences.
For TEXTILE MEMORIAL, visual artist Shannon Slee researched the inquest files of women who died after being unable to access safe abortion services before 1973. The work connects the embroidered first names of 965 women with a continuous thread, creating a collective memorial.
The online exhibition brings together documentation from the physical show with artist interviews. Together they reveal the research, ideas and archival discoveries behind each project.
Explore Rewind Forward on Google Arts & Culture: https://artsandculture.google.com/story/iQURsqlXNoCtnw
Material in the Public Record Office Victoria archival collection contains words and descriptions that reflect attitudes and government policies at different times which may be insensitive and upsetting
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples should be aware the collection and website may contain images, voices and names of deceased persons.
PROV provides advice to researchers wishing to access, publish or re-use records about Aboriginal Peoples