A KURDISH artist who settled in Darlington is to open his first exhibition in the town.

Fine artist and sculptor Mariwan Abdullah will launch Truly at the Bridge Centre for Visual Arts on Saturday, October 4 at 5.30pm.

Mr Abdullah came to the UK after his illustrations for a political newspaper attracted the ire of government forces in his home country.

He settled in Darlington around three years ago and has thanked the local community for giving him the opportunity to display his work in the town.

Following a recent appeal for working and exhibition space, Mr Abdullah was welcomed into the town’s artistic community and offered studio space by the managers of Lingfield Point.

The Truly exhibition, which runs until Wednesday, October 29, is focused on themes of hope, future, love and life.

Mr Abdullah, 32, said: “I can’t thank the community enough for all of their help and support, I’ve been overwhelmed by the response.

“It means so much to have my own space to create and think and concentrate on the pieces of art I create and it means I have space to keep and store my work safely.”

Car wash owner Mr Abdullah, who has exhibited work all over the world, works with a variety of media, creating striking and colourful pieces with recycled material including soap, wax, wood and metal.