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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website contains images of deceased persons.

Screening and author Q&A

The Tree of Ecstasy and Unbearable Sadness (MA 15+)

Saturday 4 March 2023
Matt Ottley, 2019 Jana Vodesil-Baruffi
Matt Ottley, 2019 Jana Vodesil-Baruffi

Join us in the Gallery with award-winning artist, writer, composer and musician Matt Ottley for a screening of his latest work, The Tree of Ecstasy and Unbearable Sadness – a sensory insight into the experiences of those with mental illness. This will be followed by an intimate conversation with Matt, and chance for you to ask him questions.

The Tree of Ecstasy and Unbearable Sadness Matt Ottley
The Tree of Ecstasy and Unbearable Sadness Matt Ottley

Matt Ottley is an acclaimed and multiple award-winning multi-modal artist, working equally across the fields of literature, visual arts and music. His 2021 picture book, How to make a bird (with Meg McKinlay), was the winner of the CBCA’s Picture Book of the Year Award and joint winner of the Prime Minister’s Award for Children’s Literature. As a composer, and anYamaha endorsed musician, Matt has written scores for many of his picture books, which have been performed by orchestras and musicians across Australia and internationally as part of his Sound of Picture Books initiative.

His newly released picture book for adults and young adults, The Tree of Ecstasy and Unbearable Sadness, is inspired by Matt’s personal experience of bipolar disorder.

For more about his work visit mattottley.com

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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

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