In a year when so much is made by AI, our poster was drawn by hand. Emma Clarke made it in one week.
Our 2026 poster was not made by a machine. Emma Clarke drew it by hand, in one week.
We unveiled it on Friday 9 October, at our Launch in Queen's Hall, Parliament House. Then we handed the microphone to the artist.
Emma Clarke is a digital artist working with us this festival season.
Today, so much can be made by a machine. Posters. Logos. Whole events.
For this poster, we wanted something different. We wanted a poster made by a person, with care, the old way.
Emma felt the same. “As an artist, AI is a big no-no,” Emma told the room.
There was not much time. “I've only had one week to make this poster by hand,” Emma said. “But I hope I have done my job, to show you all that I care, and that I'm open to learn new things.”
Look closely and the festival comes alive. Garlands hang from the top. Dancers in flowing dress. Drummers keeping the beat on the dhol. Three diyas glowing at the centre. And above it all, the archer from our logo. All of it in warm Diwali orange and gold.
Here is a closer look at six details.
At the top, in gold, is the archer from the Melbourne Diwali logo, bow drawn and arrow pointing to the sky. Just above our name sits a small Ganesha. In many homes Ganesha is honoured first, at the start of anything new. It is a fitting way to open a poster that begins our festival season.
Strings of red and gold hang down both sides, each finished with a golden tassel. Before Diwali, families hang garlands like these over the front door to welcome guests and good fortune into the home. On the poster they frame the whole scene like a doorway, and you are invited to walk through.
At the heart of the poster burn three small clay lamps. Diwali is the Festival of Lights, and the diya is its simplest symbol: a little oil, a cotton wick and a flame that pushes back the dark. They sit right in the middle, just below the date and the venue.
Three dancers move around the edges of the poster, each dressed differently. One has jewellery in curled hair and a hand resting on the cheek. One has hair pinned up with sparkling ornaments, arms reaching high. And one, in a veil with eyes closed, seems lost in the music. Dance fills festival day, and the poster gives it room to move.
In the bottom corner, two drummers play the dhol, the double-headed barrel drum that sets the beat at weddings and celebrations. One is laughing mid-beat. You can almost hear them.
Each corner carries a curling floral pattern, the kind of design you might see in rangoli at a doorway or in mehndi on a hand. Look closely at the bottom left and you will find Emma's signature, dated 9/10/26: the day the poster was unveiled at our Launch.
Next time you see the poster, see how many you can spot.
For Emma, the poster was also a lesson.
“When I was approached with this task, I was overwhelmed, and rejoiced, of course,” Emma said. “Doing this poster has taught me so much more about this amazing culture and what it means. I did a lot of learning, not just about myself, but about who you all are as beautiful individuals.”
Festival day this year falls on Saturday 31 October. Yes, that is Halloween. Emma has already chosen: “I will be celebrating Diwali and not Halloween this year, that's for sure.”
Our theme for 2026 is Resourcefulness. One artist, one week and a pair of hands. That is the theme in action.
Thank you, Emma.
Saturday 31 October, 2pm to 10pm, at Marvel Stadium Square, Docklands. Entry is free. Bring your family and friends. Plan your visit.
Shubh Deepavali!
If your organisation would like to support Melbourne Diwali, visit our partner page.
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Gold has a day of its own in Diwali, and Dhanteras 2026 falls on 6 November. Guardian Vaults and Guardian Gold join the festival at Marvel Stadium Square on Saturday 31 October.