AN art exhibition that takes a fresh look at the human body has been a surprise hit at a Teesside gallery.

Artist Gail Henderson's exhibition, called Drawing the Erroneous Body, has been displayed at Stockton's Arc theatre since the beginning of last month.

A committed feminist, Ms Henderson has also held a course of workshops for aspiring artists at the Arc, which resulted in an earlier display called Gender Issues in Drawing.

Her exhibition on the top floor of the Arc has attracted an unexpectedly high number of visitors.

A spokesman for the theatre said: "It has had quite an impact.

"Some of the drawings and paintings are quite strange and look a bit like those ink blots you see on psychological tests.

"But they're really intriguing and a lot of people go back for a second look."

Ms Henderson has an MA for fine art and has recently completed a masters degree in philosophy.

She has a Daler Rowney prize for her drawings at the Royal College of Art.

The exhibition will be on display until Monday.

Published: 05/11/2004