YORK artist Mark Hearld will be at Godfrey & Watt's gallery in Westminster Arcade, Harrogate, tomorrow for the opening of his Box Works And Collage exhibition.

There will be the chance to meet Mark from 10am to noon or 2pm to 4pm at the outset of a show that will run until July 5.

Alex Godfrey, of Godfrey and Watt, says: "We discovered his delightful box works last year and they were a huge success when we included them in our summer show. This new exhibition has given Mark the opportunity to develop more ambitious pieces, and quite simply, it is some of the most refreshing and compelling new work that we've seen in years."

Mark lives in York, where he works as an illustrator and lecturer. Born in 1974 he studied illustration at Glasgow School of Art followed by an MA in natural history illustration at the Royal College of Art, London.

His work is based on his observations of the natural world, influenced by mid-20th century Neo-Romanticism and 1930s' modernism. He is inspired by British artists such as John Piper and Edward Bawden and the American surrealist, Joseph Cornell.

"Mark started creating his box works a few years ago, when he made one as a gift for a friend," says Alex. "Each work is very personal and symbolic, inspired by a place, event or association, and each contains found objects combined with drawings and painting. They resemble small dream worlds or magical museums, where thoughts, childhood memories and observations are stored."

Around 30 box works and collages are on show, for sale at £165 to £695.

Updated: 10:49 Friday, June 06, 2003