Ex-Annandale Hotel Manager To Stage Art Exhibition For Mental Health Awareness

Five years ago, Matthew Gillett was a budding artist and an established fixture at Sydney's Annandale Hotel, where he served as venue manager.

His entire world was turned upside down following a serious, near-fatal head injury sustained at the hotel while trying to intervene in a brawl, which led to a protracted, painful period of healing and recovery as well as contending with severe depression and other physical and mental health ailments.

Far from languishing as a victim of circumstance, however, Gillett channelled his energies totally into his art, committing himself to creative exploration of mental health that has ultimately taken shape as his new show, My Art Kills Monsters, coming to aMBUSH Project Space next month.

The exhibition takes in 45 of Gillett's artworks, in two halves; his paintings will appear alongside an accompanying AV station equipped with monitor and headphones for punters to view a three-minute time-lapse video about the work, soundtracked with tunes especially donated by local rockers Sticky Fingers, with whom Gillett has been friendly since his days at the Annandale.

My Art Kills Monsters will be held in support of the good folks at beyondblue, with Gillett explaining that his experiences during his recovery — and a desire to break down the stigma surrounding mental health issues in Australia — were the key tenets on which the show developed.

"I know from experience that a conversation can literally save a life, so we want the work, the message, to reach as many people as it can," he said in a statement.

Of said personal experience, accrued during his darkest days, Gillett said: "I had no idea what was happening to me. I just felt angry and really, really shit, all the time. Once I was exposed to information and support, I was able to break down the feelings of fragility, of feeling less of a man, and have a far stronger grip on what I was going through."

Gillett's profile among the mental-health advocacy community grew exponentially, fuelled by an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald's Andrew Taylor, which the artist describes as a "turning point".

"The reaction from people was extraordinary," he said. "It seemed that mothers, brothers, friends, grandfathers, everyone I spoke to who had read the piece, had a story to confide about a loved one, and the article had started the conversation.

"By opening up about my experiences as a person, I became more comfortable in doing so. There is an exponential power inherent in the sharing of this stuff."

This ultimately speaks to My Art Kills Monsters' intended message — one of hope, recovery and resilience, to co-opt beyondblue's mantra. As much as Gillett's artistic endeavour was a source of personal catharsis for the artist, he hopes the affecting, relatable nature of his experiences carries to those who witness the exhibition.

"My Art Kills Monsters is, at its core, the recipe I have used to kill, and to continue to kill, my monsters," Gillett explained in a statement. "I hope that my story gives hope and sparks conversation in others, to start a conversation that will break down the walls associated with mental illness, freeing others and saving lives in the process.

"Mental illness is no longer a taboo subject hidden behind closed doors, but it still only lurks in the shadows. The more we bring it out into the light and talk, the more we can create opportunities to support those who need help the most."

My Art Kills Monsters will be held at aMBUSH Project Space — at Level 3, Central Park, 28 Broadway, Chippendale  —  from noon until 8pm on Thursday 23 June through Sunday 26 June inclusive, with an Opening-night event on the Thursday from 6pm.

For more  information, see the exhibition's Facebook event page.