EYE-CATCHING work by a young artist is on show in a gallery renowned for its originality.

Star of the show at artist Mackenzie Thorpe's Arthaus studio in Richmond, is sculptor Richard Stainthorp who has been making his mark by shaping graceful statues entirely from wire.

Much of the work has already been sold and will be moving to a gallery in Twickenham in London in a fortnight.

Richard, 25, who was born in Hartlepool, but went to school in Barnard Castle, said: "It all stated when I was modelling for stone and threw some wire together to give me something to work from. I realised I enjoyed working with it even more and things just when from there."

With a degree in biology as well as a degree in sculpture, Richard found human shapes and form relatively easy.

Mr Thorpe, famous for his square faced sheep, is in San Francisco where new work has been taking America by storm.