You don’t have to be an art expert to enjoy something beautiful. And this winter in Coffs Harbour, one of the most Instagrammable, immersive art experiences in the world is setting up right in the middle of town — and it’s completely free.
From 14 June to 24 August, City of Coffs Harbour’s Yarrila Arts and Museum (YAM) is welcoming a global sensation that’s never been seen on the Coffs Coast before – or anywhere in regional Australia. World-renowned Japanese art collective teamLab is bringing its stunning digital artwork, Flowers and People – A Whole Year per Hour, to our local gallery. If you’ve ever been curious about contemporary art, this is the perfect place to start.
Think you’ve seen art? teamLab says otherwise
Tokyo’s teamLab is a collective of the world’s most forward-thinking creatives — artists, engineers and designers redefining what’s possible. Their exhibitions have drawn huge crowds in cities like Tokyo, New York, London, and Singapore — often selling out months in advance. But the beauty of what they do is that you don’t need any background in art or design to enjoy it. In fact, their work is created for everyone.
And now, for the very first time, you don’t have to travel across the world to see it. You just have to visit YAM.
Step into something unforgettable
So, what exactly is Flowers and People – A Whole Year per Hour? In short, it’s a room full of flowers — but not in the way you might expect.
It’s a digital art piece that condenses an entire year of blooming seasons into just one hour. As you move through the space, you’ll see flowers bud, blossom, scatter and return in a continuous, ever-changing cycle. Every moment is different. Walk past a wall and the petals might drift away from you.The artwork is not a pre-recorded image that is played back: it is created by a computer program that continuously renders the work in real time. The interaction between people and the installation causes continuous change in the artwork: previous visual states can never be replicated and will never reoccur. The picture at this moment can never be seen again.
No pressure, just presence
You don’t need to “get” art to enjoy this. You don’t need to read a bunch of wall labels or know your Monets from your Manets. This is an art that’s made to be felt. It’s beautiful, calming, and genuinely uplifting — the kind of space that makes you pause, breathe, and notice the little things.
Suitable for the grid — even better in real-life
Of course, we won’t lie — it’s also extremely photogenic. If you’re into dreamy visuals, glowy colours and the kind of content that lights up your camera roll, you’ll want to have your phone ready. But the real magic of this artwork isn’t just what it looks like — it’s how it makes you feel while you’re in it.
You don’t just view it — you become part of it. And that’s something you can’t fully capture in a snap.
A rare moment for Coffs
Here’s the thing: teamLab exhibitions don’t usually travel outside of major capital cities — let alone international ones. The fact that Flowers and People – A Whole Year per Hour is showing in Coffs Harbour is a pretty big deal. It speaks to the strength and vision of our local arts scene and to YAM’s commitment to bringing world-class creative experiences to the Coffs Coast community.
And better yet, it’s free. No tickets, no bookings, no pressure. Just walk in and enjoy.
Whether you come for five minutes or stay for an hour, it’s up to you. There’s no rush, no queue, no rules. Just beautiful, ever-changing art right here in our backyard.
The perfect intro to the world of art
If you’ve never really explored an art gallery before — or if you’ve felt like they weren’t really “for you” — this is the perfect place to start.
You don’t need to understand art history or speak in big creative terms. You just need to be curious. Bring a mate, bring the kids, invite your nan. Or come alone and let yourself wander. However you do it, you’ll walk away with something memorable.
Quick Details:
WHEN: 14 June – 24 August
WHERE: Yarrila Arts and Museum (YAM), Coffs Harbour
COST: Free
Come and see what all the hype is about. You won’t regret it.