AN EXHIBITION by one of the country’s leading artists opens in the region tomorrow.

In his display Working Lives, David Venables explores the industrial heritage of the North-East in scenes featuring miners, shipyard workers, housewives and fisherwomen.

The exhibition will be at Durham University’s Grey College Old Library, on South Road, Durham, until Sunday, June 24.

Mr Venables was born in Haltwhistle, Northumberland, and brought up in a mining family. He later moved to Doncaster, West Yorkshire.

He has been exhibiting his artwork since 1971, at venues including the Northern Gallery, in Leeds, and the Quaker Gallery, in London.

He studied at the Central School of Art, in London, and oversaw the restoration of Harrogate’s Royal Hall.

Mr Venables has also worked on Richmond Theatre and Georgian Courthouse, in North Yorkshire.

This is the 68-year-old’s second Grey College exhibition and uses charcoal, terracotta, watercolour and acrylic.

He said: "I am delighted to be exhibiting at Grey College, which has established a growing national reputation for excellent art collections."

Exhibition organiser Henry Dyson, a Fellow of Grey College, said: "This is a magnificent collection – one of the best we’ve ever exhibited at Grey College – and that is a testament to this wonderful body of work."

Viewing is 11am to 4pm on weekends and by appointment only on weekdays. Entry is free. All the paintings displayed will be for sale. For more information, call Joyce Dover on 0191-3345638.