One of Cumbria's most influential artists will have his work displayed in an event at St Mary's Church, Cleator. 

Conrad Atkinson, will have on show his artwork Excavated Mutilations, which he donated to commemorate the Church's 150th Anniversary. 

 The occasion will be opened by Trudy Harrison MP, at their Flower Festival, opening on May 13 at 10.30 am.

A spokesperson said: "The artwork, recently described as a tapestry, is an embroidered work depicting two repeated images of Christ’s blood and Van Gough’s bandaged Ear.

"Atkinson created the work, in response to two works, in the Courtauld Collection in Somerset House London, where he was artist in residence & when he had a one-person exhibition in 2002; the work has been on show recently at the Royal Academy London.

"Atkinson’s work has been shown world-wide, and is in many important Public Collections, including the Tate, V&A, MOMA NY, and The Power Collection Sydney Australia. Two of his large News-Paper works, ‘The Financial Times & the Wall Street journal’ are on display at the Chancellor's official residence, number 11 Downing Street.

"Currently he has work on show in the British Art Show, Wolverhampton City Art Gallery and at Tufts University Art Museum, USA in the exhibition ‘Art for the Future’ which travels to New Mexico and Chicago.

"One of these works on Northern Ireland’s troubles, was produced by invitation from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and was controversial at the time. Atkinson has since said he felt comfortable in Belfast, because it reminded him of Cleator Moor, his home Town, still named by some as ‘Little Ireland’.

"The major work he completed on Northern Ireland is in The Tate Collection and a large group from the original installation is housed in the Wolverhampton City Art Gallery Collection."

Atkinson attended St Mary’s church as a child as well as St Patrick’s junior School.

For further Information on the event contact Sean Close: closepublishing47@gmail.com.

READ MORE: West Cumbrian artist’s work in Queen’s home