A STUNNING array of fine art and sculpture work featuring giant oil paintings and the inspiring use of many materials has opened in Winchester.

The European Fine Art and Sculpture Degree shows are held annually and attract talented artists from all corners of the globe.

Staged by Southampton University's Winchester School of Art, the thought-provoking exhibits will remain open to the public until Friday.

The displays include poignant photographs conveying childhood emotions and the unexpected and fleeting nature of time.

A wide range of materials, such as wax, metal and wood, have also been used for the sculpture exhibits which portray the everyday questions of life, death and the hereafter.

"The variety of artistic approaches at this degree show is extremely interesting," said Claudia Terstappen, head of fine art, which is mainly taught at the school of art's Barcelona studios.

"The work reflects both the diversity of cultural backgrounds and contemporary thought," she added.

Graduates from the school of art have forged highly-successful careers in the art world and many are now run-ning their own studios and have achieved wide-spread acclaim for their interna-tional exhibitions.

The fine art degree show is being held on the ground and second floors of the school of art's east building, while the sculpture show is situtated on the ground floor of the east building. Opening times are from 9 am to 6pm.

You can visit the Sculpture website at www.soton.ac.uk/wsas-culp.

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