PAST masters are paired with contemporary works by exciting modern artists in a new exhibition that opens at York Art Gallery tomorrow.

Passed As Present combines rarely seen paintings from the gallery's collection with loans from the Lodeveans collection of international contemporary art.

This will be the collection's first public showing, under the guidance of guest curator Gill Hedley, formerly director of the Contemporary Art Society.

"It's been a real pleasure to introduce contemporary works in a range of materials - such as a frozen radiator and a video shown with a powder compact - into the wonderful collection at York Art Gallery, " says Gill. "Some surprising matches and contrasts have emerged to give a new reading of some very traditional themes shared by the old masters and the rising stars."

The Lodeveans collection was put together by a father-and-son team of lawyers, Stuart and John Evans, to give young artists a wider public audience and to encourage new collectors.

By showing the works together, Gill and Caroline Worthington, the gallery's curator of fine art, aim to show the common themes, techniques and styles as well as the juxtapositions between the pieces.

New works on show include the exhibition title piece, Passed As Present by Chris Sharp, teamed with James Butler, Duke Of Ormond, by the Studio of Peter Lely; School Trip by Victoria Smirnoff paired with Icon: The Virgin by an unknown Russian artist; and Jane Simpson's Charming, an ice covered, baroque-patterned radiator, displayed with Henri Fantin-Latour's White Roses.

Passed As Presents runs from tomorrow until April 13.