Photographic exhibitions celebrate life
Two exhibitions featuring the work of Sunshine Coast photographers, Lisa Maree Williams and Heidi O’Sullivan, will open together at the University of the Sunshine Coast Gallery on Thursday 11 September at 6pm.
The exhibitions – “Soul Connect” and “A Second Home” – will be officially opened by Sunshine Coast Newspapers Features Editor Shirley Sinclair.
“Soul Connect” is an explosion of positive energy, as O’Sullivan uses colour portraiture printed on fabric to study where happiness comes from. 
Her female subjects seek joy and fulfilment in everyday activities like singing, dancing, running, meditating and playing.
Williams’ “A Second Home” is a black and white photo documentary exploring the lives of the East Timorese community in Brisbane.
It focuses on two families, referencing their bond with each other and their placement within a larger community.
University of the Sunshine Coast Gallery Curator Dawn Oelrich said the exhibitions would have wide appeal and would make people feel good about life.
“Lisa’s poignant portraits tug at the heartstrings but her empathy for her subjects is palatable,” she said.
“Heidi has followed a simple idea to come up with extraordinary results. Her images are all about fitting joy into busy lives about passion and happiness. It is hard not to smile when you see the images.”
The exhibition will continue until Saturday 11 October and admission is free.
The USC Gallery is open from 10am to 4pm Mondays to Saturdays. The 2008 USC Gallery Exhibition Program is proudly supported by major sponsor coastline BMW.