The Life of Patrick White

The Life of Patrick White marks 100 years since the birth of Australia’s first Nobel Laureate in Literature. The exhibition looks at White’s life through the places he lived and is drawn mostly from the National Library’s collection of his papers — despite the fact that White repeatedly maintained he had destroyed them all.

The exhibition also includes a significant contribution from the State Library of NSW collection, including White’s Nobel Prize medal.

The Life of Patrick White not only tells the story of White in all his guises, it also provides great insight into the post-war Australian arts scene — straight from the man who was often its star attraction.

The Life of Patrick White is a National Library of Australia exhibition presented in collaboration with the State Library of New South Wales.

The exhibition is supported by the National Collecting Institutions Touring and Outreach Program, an Australian Government program aiming to improve access to the national collections for all Australians.

Sidney Nolan: Illuminations
Patrick White and painter Sidney Nolan were two Australian cultural giants, who were once friends and artistic collaborators, but fell out and mobilised their creative talents against each other. Sidney Nolan: Illuminations, an exhibition of paintings by Nolan, is showing in conjunction with The Life of Patrick White.

Paddy's Kitchen
Taste test Patrick White’s recipes for Haloumi Soufflé and Savoury Strudel via Paddy’s Kitchen, the National Library of Australia’s food blog, which recreates recipes found amongst the personal papers of Patrick White.
 

Patrick White - Address to the Librarians of Australia
Listen to Patrick White's Address to the Librarians of Australia delivered at the Mitchell Library on 19 September 1980.