AN exhibition of paintings at a North-East university invites people to take a step back from the frantic pace of modern life and consider the forgotten things that once made us happy.

The Boy is Made of Plastic is an exhibition of watercolour paintings by Paul Housley at the Reg Vardy Gallery, Sunderland University, until October 21.

Mr Housley paints everyday, simple objects, such as toy soldiers, plastic elephants and ceramic ornaments and transforms them into luscious paintings.

He is the Durham Cathedral artist in residence 2004 to 2005, and the paintings were created during his nine-month residency.

Mr Housley said: "Painting is a slow process, and as such is out of touch with the glossy MTV-style imagery we're used to seeing now."

He will be giving a talk on his work at the Reg Vardy Gallery, at 5pm, on Tuesday, October 4.

The talk is free, but booking in advance is recommended on 0191-515 2128.