This 50-minute film is followed by a Q&A with its creator, intermodal artist Matt Ottley. Please join us beforehand for complimentary drinks and the opportunity to purchase the book.

Matt Ottley, the creator of sublime intermodal artworks, with words, painting and music, will join us to present his latest film, integrating painted artwork, symphonic music, and spoken words into a profound emotional experience.

The Tree of Ecstasy and Unbearable Sadness is a groundbreaking, large-scale multi-modal project weaving the worlds of literature, music and visual art together in the story of one boy’s journey into mental illness.

The narrative unfolds around the metaphor of a tree, growing within the boy, whose flower is ecstasy and whose fruit is sadness. As the branches grow, his mind is released and he travels to a fantastical world where he is confronted by both the power of his creativity and the destructive force of his emotions.

The Tree of Ecstasy and Unbearable Sadness has been inspired by the experiences of its creator, Matt Ottley, who has lived with bipolar disorder all his life and has been hospitalised on numerous occasions in mental health facilities. Having personally experienced the prejudices and challenges that come from suffering a mental illness. Matt’s aim is to offer a sensory insight through literature, music and images into the experiences of those who suffer from such debilitating illnesses, particularly psychosis.

This is a unique opportunity to hear Matt describe his process and give his personal creative insight into this artwork.

Running order:

6:00 pre-event refreshments at the Bevery, the Courtyard, Science Road
7:00 film screening
8:00 creator Q&A
8:30 finish