A NEW exhibition is to be held at the Allendale Forge Studios.

'Absence', by John Fowler, will open on May 1 and will run until May 30.

Mr Fowler said after moving to live in the high Pennines twenty years ago, the upland landscape there became "highly motivational" for him.

'Absence' is a series of paintings inspired by the many abandoned buildings there, a reminder of past farming and mining generations.

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"If these remnants, often unseen or overlooked, are painted well the unremarkable can suddenly become remarkable," said Mr Fowler. "That is my aim."

30 per cent of the label price on all sales will be donated to West Northumberland Food Bank.

Allendale Forge Studios is run entirely by volunteers, and reopened last month after large renovations were completed.