TWO Okehampton artists are presenting a joint show of paintings at the Plough Arts Centre in Torrington.

Anna Georghiou and Phil Bird both live in Okehampton and have exhibited their work internationally. The artists have returned to live in Okehampton after seven years living in Cyprus, painting and lecturing part-time at the Cyprus College of Art.

Anna has exhibited in Cyprus, Slovenia, France and the USA, and this exhibition is the first time British viewers will have the opportunity to see her work.

Some of her paintings, which can take several years to produce, were started in Cyprus and completed in the UK, leading to her show's title, 'In Between Places'.

Born of British and Cypriot parentage, her work is influenced many different cultural touchstones, from Byzantine art to her more recent atmospheric and brooding landscapes.

Anna said: 'These paintings depict groups of figures in a timeless setting, offering viewers alternative possible worlds.

'Art need not shock or follow superficial trends. In an age of cynicism, I wish to affirm the enduring qualities of the human spirit.'

Phil's career as a painter and songwriter spans 30 years and over 25 exhibitions, with shows in Germany, Cyprus, the USA and Britain, including the British Art Show at Royal College of Art London, Edinburgh Festival and the Museum of Modern Art Oxford. As a singer he has performed at Glastonbury and many other festivals, and released several CDs of his music.

In his series of small paintings, 'Imaginary Constellations', Phil explores the imagery of folklore and myth.

The joint exhibition runs in the centre from tomorrow (Friday) to Tuesday, August 14. Phil and Anna will be running an arts workshop at the centre on Friday July 20 from 10am to 4pm.

For further information call the Plough Arts Centre on 01805 624624 or go to http://www.artmusephilbird.com">www.artmusephilbird.com and http://www.artannageorghiou.info">www.artannageorghiou.info