MICHAEL Pennie’s Sculpture for Furniture brings art into familiar settings, as Trowbridge Arts hosts an exhibition of his recent works at Trowbridge Town Hall, the second stage of an exhibition tour which began at Pound Arts, Corsham in May. It opened with a private view last night (Thursday) and runs until September 5.

There's the chance for visitors who have been impressed by the exhibition to hear Michael explain more about his art on Thursday, September 3, when he gives a free talk at 6pm.

Professor Michael Pennie’s long relationship with Wiltshire began when he arrived in Corsham in 1962 to take up a teaching post at the then Bath Academy of Art. He taught Fine Art at what eventually became Bath Spa University for more than 50 years.

At the core of the exhibition is the Sculpture for Furniture group of works. The idea for these came when two of the artist’s small sculptures were returned to him after a London gallery exhibition.

As Michael describes, “At home again, I re-installed the sculptures on the windowsill in my kitchen. They seemed immediately at ease there, placed in a familiar space.”

“This was the genesis of Sculpture for Furniture, the creation of an exhibition that would avoid the austerity of the white gallery.

Accompanying the sculptures will be drawings, prints and the 2013 publication Michael Pennie Sculpture: Making and Teaching. This is available in the original limited edition, a digital web-version and a newly recorded audio version.

As well as the main exhibition at Trowbridge Town Hall, Michael Pennie’s drawings will be on display in the atrium at County Hall, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge.

The Artist Talk is a free event but people are asked to let organisers know if they are coming by contacting info@trowbridgearts.com.

The exhibition will then tour to Salisbury Arts Centre.

Trowbridge Arts is open from 10am-4pm Mon-Sat. Entry is free.