AN artist who nearly died from meningitis has used the experience for his latest exhibition.

Matt Mackman, 43, from Earls Colne, was hit with the bacterial form of the potentially fatal disease aged 15.

Some of the proceeds from his exhibition will be donated to the Meningitis Research Foundation.

He said: "I had been under the weather for a number of weeks, feeling lethargic.

"On the actual day I went out with mates and was out socialising and one second I was all right, then I was violently ill.

"I stumbled to a friend's house."

Matt was driven home and when a doctor arrived he recognised the symptoms straight away.

The doctor acted quickly and drove Matt to Ipswich Hospital.

This fast response, and the team at the hospital, saved Matt’s life.

The exhibition represents a particular 24 hour period he spent in hospital.

Whilst in a comatose state he suffered a series of repetitive dreams which Matt feels was his visual life flashing before his eyes.

Gazette:

A lasting memory was having the last rites read to him.

The memories set the tone for his exhibition which is at Norwich Arts Centre between January 7 and February 20.

Matt, who completed his art foundation course at Colchester Institute, said: “Although I made a relatively quick recovery in terms of leaving hospital, the after effects I experienced were more long term than I realised.

"My energy levels were impacted, as was my ability to focus and concentrate on a task for prolonged periods.

“I also believe it impacted my mental health for a number of years.

"I am pleased to say I have overcome these issues but it was harder for my family in some respects.

"Meningitis made me realise how unknown the future is and how fragile life can be.

“This in turn made me somewhat reckless, as if each day would be my last, which is both a positive and negative thing.

“More than 25 years have passed and I have finally begun to validate what happened to me.

“Through my work as an artist I have begun to address it an turn the experience into an ongoing positive.

“I have always felt I am extremely lucky to survive but in one form or another meningitis stays with you forever.”

One of his paintings will be sold to the highest bidder with all proceeds going to Meningitis Research Foundation.

Meningitis is more likely to strike over the Christmas season than at any other time of the year and its symptoms can easily be mistaken for the flu.

If you would like to attend the exhibition contact Norwich Arts Centre at http://norwichartscentre.co.uk/ To find out more about Matt’s artwork visit: www.mattmackman.co.uk