Monash University Library showcases first major solo exhibition of “master thief” Peter Lyssiotis

Opened in July, Silence is no Refuge: Peter Lyssiotis – Artists’ Books is Peter Lyssiotis’ first stand-alone exhibition that invites you on a journey through layered themes of belonging and place, exploring how we use memory –  and art – to respond to the world.

Showcasing rare, hand-crafted artists’ books that blur the line between traditional publishing and tactile, handmade art, these unique works invite interaction and challenge conventional notions of what a book can be.

Special Collections Curator at Monash University Library, Anne Holloway, highlighted the ideas at the heart of Peter’s work.

“This exhibition is a rare opportunity to experience the full depth of Peter’s creative practice,” Anne said.

“His work challenges us to think about how we use memory and imagination to respond to the world around us.”

The exhibition draws on the Library's extensive special collections, which house one of the largest public collections of the work of the self-described “master thief”.

Peter founded Masterthief Enterprises after traditional publishers dismissed artists’ books as commercially unviable. The name, taken from Bob Dylan’s Positively 4th Street lyric – “If I was a master thief, I’d rob them” – reflects his determination to share his art on his own terms.

This rich archive spans Peter’s 40-year career, revealing not just his art but the process of becoming an artist.

“Seeing this exhibition come to life is like watching a version of my life-as-a-film being screened in reverse,” Peter reflected.

“This retrospective of my bookwork is confirmation that gathering is indeed another way of thinking.”

Silence is no Refuge: Peter Lyssiotis – Artists’ Books is co-curated by Anne Holloway and Special Collections Librarian Kerri Klumpp, in close collaboration with the artist, with exhibition design by Megan Atkins Studio.

On show at the Sir Louis Matheson Library, Monash University from July with an official launch by the Provost on Tuesday 19 August.

Exhibition details

  • Silence is no Refuge: Peter Lyssiotis – Artists’ Books
  • Sir Louis Matheson Library, Monash University Clayton campus
  • Free exhibition at the Sir Louis Matheson Library, Clayton open now until early 2026 (soft launch)
  • Find out more