The Lighthouse Toowoomba again in 2024 offers a really wonderful variety of events, exhibitions, programs, and projects each month, and the first is an incredible exhibition by Matt Ottley https://mattottley.com

Ottley is an Australian author / illustrator / musician; has just won the World Fantasy Book Award, is Australia’s illustrator nominee for the 2024 Hans Christian Anderson Awards, and is bringing his remarkable work to Toowoomba for what will be the world premiere of his exhibition ‘The Tree of Ecstasy and Unbearable Sadness’.  It is a multi-modal exhibition conceived to show each of us what mental illness feels like using music, art, and film.  

If you are curious to discover more:

• ABC Podcast All in the Mind 30min podcast – “What Psychosis feels like: The Tree of Ecstasy and Unbearable Sadness” https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/allinthemind/psychosis-tree-of-ecstasy-and-unbearable-sadness/102897160
• Film trailer:  https://www.youtube.com/wsatch?v=odANP6cnfYU

The official opening includes a screening of a film with the same title at 5:00pm on Thursday 1^st February at the Strand Cinema, and then to The Write Gallery for the exhibition. ttps://drct-thelighthousetoowoomba.prod.supporterhub.net/events/ottley-screening

The exhibition is open until 29th February

Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 3pm (or by appointment)