Exploring the underneath

Woodend artist Ned Brook is presenting an exhibition titled What Lies in the Underneath. (Supplied).

A Woodend artist is presenting a solo exhibition of his art in Melbourne, with the works examining changing states of being and living with a mental health condition.

Titled What Lies in the Underneath, the exhibition consists of painting, drawing, sculptures, and other artworks from Ned Brook.

Brook said creating art allowed him to express himself at any given time and acts as a “coping mechanism for having a mental health condition.”

Now 37, he received a diagnosis for a mental illness at age 23 and began painting about five years ago.

“When I work, I enter a bit of a meditative state or flow state, so nothing in the work is planned,” Brook said.

“There’s not a lot of language involved and it gives me a bit of a break from … the symptoms of my mental health condition.”

Brook said he feels art is “important for anyone,” but for people with mental health conditions, it can be helpful “expressing stuff that is really difficult to express with words.”

“Everyone’s state of being changes at any given time … it shows what it’s like to be human,” he said.

He hopes to portray a message of hope to others who are diagnosed with a mental health condition.

“I think it’s important for people to know you can’t really predict life, but if you’ve got a bit of strength and resilience to get through it, then you can end up getting to the other side.”

Brook has also received a Governor in Council appointment for his work as a volunteer within mental health facilities and 10-year service and national emergency medals for his work as a CFA volunteer with the Woodend brigade.

What Lies in the Underneath will be presented until February 1 at Fortyfive Downstairs, 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne.

Details: fortyfivedownstairs.com/event/what-lies-in-the-underneath