Butterworth confronts depression head-on with a series of unsettling self-portraits that respond to the words of those who suffer the debilitating illness.

The exhibition is certainly starting conversation and visitors to the exhibition have been eager to make their feelings known.

A cluster of sticky notes is growing on the wall outside the gallery, with children leaving little drawings, while adults jot down notes like “it’s okay to feel” and “how brave and courageous people who deal with this are.”

The gravity of Butterworth’s project and the power of showing empathy is reflected in one particular note that thanks the artist, “…for visiting our world – most don’t”.

When the Black Dog Bites and the Stick’n it Out program runs until March 5.