AVIATION inspired artwork by a dales artist is currently enjoying great success in London.

John Hunter, from Grinton in Swaledale, last week launched his one-man art exhibition at the RAF Club in Piccadilly, which features 27 original pieces in watercolour, gouache and pencil. The exhibition runs until the end of July.

He has also just had all of his submissions accepted for display at the Mall Galleries in London, which will go on display the same month.

The RAF Club display was opened by Air Commodore Rick Peacock-Edwards at a preview night reception where six pieces of his work sold, two bought by the club itself.

Another work depicting the first Distinguished Flying Cross ever to be awarded to a female pilot is going to feature in a new centenary celebration book, while further work by John is to be presented at an annual award for aviation excellence at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC.

“The exhibition opening was a wonderful occasion, with among the invited guests, the widow of world famous artist, Wilf Hardy – my single biggest influence and inspiration, and also my best friend from school who I haven’t met for 40 years!”

Locally, John recently held a one-man exhibition at Richmond Station where a cross section of over 50 of his original paintings were displayed and he also has work displayed at East Windy Hall gallery in Reeth as part of the Swaledale Festival.