AN art exhibition which aims to explore the mysteries of human memory is coming to the region.

Called Memory and Forgetting, the exhibition is the result of an innovative meeting of minds.

Four artists were paired with four scientists who specialise in different branches of memory research.

Artists Shona Illingworth, Ashley McCormick, Daniel Sturgis and Louise K Wilson have been working with the scientists for a year.

The scientists were autobiographical memory expert Professor Martin Conway and childhood amnesia specialist Dr Madelaine Eacott, both of Durham University; old age psychiatrist Dr Julian Hughes and visual neuroecology expert Dr Anya Hurlbert, both of Newcastle University.

The fruits of their collaboration will be be unveiled at the Hatton Gallery, at Newcastle University, next Saturday.

The exhibition will include the voice of an elderly woman singing songs which were popular in her youth, despite severe memory and speech impairment.

It will also feature paintings which test the viewer's memory and association with colour and shape.

Visitors will be asked to write down their earliest memories as part of a project which will test the theory that women have earlier memories than men.