AN exhibition featuring work from half a century of artistic talent from the Tees Valley has launched in Middlesbrough.

Paintings by established artists, including one of David Bowie’s favourite artists William Tillyer, are displayed alongside emerging painters at ‘Legacy – 50 years of painting in the Tees Valley’, which is at the Auxiliary in Station St, Middlesbrough until December 12.

The exhibition brings together the work of 30 artists to tell a story of painting in the region spanning half a century.

One of the show’s curators, artist Deb Covell said: "The event traces a lineage of painters who have influenced and supported each other in various ways.

“Well-known and emerging practices sit side-by-side to acknowledge the impact and importance of painters who have taught, mentored and championed each other across generations.”

The exhibition has been organised through Conversations in Painting - an artist-led initiative that promotes Tees Valley painters, connects them to networks and aims to establish the area as a place that supports painting practice.

Co-curator and artist Sarah Cooney said: “We wanted to celebrate the incredible talent that has come out of this area and highlight the connections that have bridged the gap between the generations of artists.

“It is a story that we felt had to be told. By showing work by well-known painters next to emerging, and in some cases overlooked, artists, we are highlighting that is a level playing field where we learn from and teach each other to be able to develop as artists.”

The exhibition was opened by Martin Raby, Principal of The Northern School of Art, where many of the artists either studied or taught at the School when it was called Cleveland College of Art and Design (CCAD).

The exhibition was opened by Martin Raby, Principal of The Northern School of Art, where many of the artists either studied or taught at the School when it was called Cleveland College of Art and Design (CCAD).

“We are incredibly proud of the central place that the School has played in the development of the thriving arts community in the Tees Valley.

“Of the artists exhibiting we have a number of prestigious alumni – Basil Beattie, and William Tillyer for example, along with more recent former students such as Rachael Clewlow and Hannah Campion, who are both fine artists with international reputations, not to mention the exhibition’s co-curators Deb and Sarah."

The artist-led gallery is open Wednesday to Saturday, 12pm to 4pm, and entry is free.

More information can be found at northernart.ac.uk