Fighting Form

At our summer Salon, we’re spotlighting artists who push formal limits and play outside the boundaries. Their work challenges assumptions and experiments with convention – whether fiction, poetry or music. Splash around in uncharted waters, colour outside the lines, start in the middle of the story, eat dessert first, and surrender to the unbounded and unexpected – who knows what you’ll discover.

The event will open with poetry from Manisha Anjali, a text and performance artist whose work explores narratives and languages of dreams and exile.

Then, Miles Franklin-award winner Michelle de Kretser will discuss her funny and complex new novel, Scary Monsters, which uses shifting perspectives and a reversible format to explore the disorienting monsters of racism, ageism and misogyny.

Finally, spectacular one-man-soundscape Great Earthquake will close out the evening with a transporting, richly layered musical performance.

Join us for a night of creative delights, hosted by journalist and critic Fiona Gruber. You can also enjoy a drink from our bar, which will be open before, during and after the event.

Please note Walter Kadiki will no longer be appearing at this event.

This event will be Auslan interpreted.

Presented in partnership with State Library Victoria

The bookseller for this event is Readings

Please note: Fighting Form was originally scheduled for 11 February but has been postponed until 25 March. Tickets purchased for 11 February are still valid for this new date, but if you are unable to attend on 25 March, please contact ticketing@wheelercentre.com to organise a refund.

You must have a pre-booked ticket to attend in person. Please note, in line with current public health orders, all guests are required to be double vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to visit the State Library of Victoria. Guests must show proof of their vaccination status upon arrival and register their details through the Victorian Government QR code service. By purchasing a ticket to this event, you are confirming you are eligible to attend and will adhere to the venue's conditions of entry.