HOTA – Home of the Arts – on Australia’s iconic Gold Coast will host the world premiere of Writers Revealed: Treasures from the British Library and National Portrait Gallery, London this April.
This groundbreaking exhibition brings together treasures from two of Britain’s most esteemed cultural institutions.
The British Library, with its vast collection of over 170 million items spanning its London and Yorkshire locations, joins forces with the National Portrait Gallery, renowned for housing the world’s largest collection of portraits. Together, they will present an unparalleled display of literary and artistic heritage.
Opening on 12 April, the exhibition will give Australian audiences the rare chance to encounter over 100 exceptional manuscripts and first editions alongside 70 iconic portraits of some of the most celebrated figures in English literature. For the first time, these priceless works will be displayed together.
The exhibition spans five centuries of literary history, featuring luminaries such as William Shakespeare, Jane Austen, the Brontë sisters, William Blake, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, J.R.R. Tolkien, and modern icons like Sir Kazuo Ishiguro and Zadie Smith.
Alexandra Ault, Lead Curator of Modern Archives and Manuscripts at the British Library, expressed her excitement: “We are delighted to partner with the National Portrait Gallery on Writers Revealed, a truly one-of-a-kind exhibition that brings together extraordinary objects from our collections. Visitors will have the chance to see rare first editions and manuscripts displayed alongside portraits of the writers who created them, offering a unique perspective on their lives and works.”
Catharine MacLeod, Senior Curator of 17th Century Collections at the National Portrait Gallery, added: “This major exhibition showcases treasures that rarely leave our gallery in London. It provides HOTA visitors with an intimate connection to some of the most significant figures in English literary history, from Shakespeare to Zadie Smith. Through these displays, audiences will uncover fascinating intersections between life, literature, and portraiture.”
The exhibition promises an immersive exploration of the creative processes and personal lives of these literary giants. Highlights include handwritten and illustrated letters from Tolkien to his grandson, reflecting his work in The Lord of the Rings, Lewis Carroll’s diary entry discussing Alice in Wonderland, Virginia Woolf’s handwritten manuscript for Mrs Dalloway, Jane Austen’s writing desk, and the only known portrait likely painted of William Shakespeare during his lifetime.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate highlighted the significance of the event: “These literary icons have inspired imaginations for centuries. This exhibition gives us an incredible opportunity to delve deeper into their creative journeys, their personal stories, and the manuscripts that changed the world. Hosting such a prestigious event cements HOTA’s reputation as a cultural hub for the city and the wider region.”
Writers Revealed: Treasures from the British Library and National Portrait Gallery, London will run from 12 April to 3 August 2025 at HOTA in Queensland, Australia. Tickets are required for entry. Photo by Herry Lawford from London, UK, Wikimedia commons.