A new exhibition by artist Stephen Brooks will open at the Highgate Gallery this week.

Glimpses sees his return to the Highgate Gallery for the first time since 2008, when his previous show, Ptolomy’s Mythtake, was held.

“I’m really excited to be returning,” says Stephen. “I lived in Highgate between 1974 and 1978, and I worked as a postman at the old sorting office. I’ve still got friends in the area so I’ve visited regularly ever since.“

This latest exhibition is based on his observational work of still life and plants and utilises many of the methods of his previous science-inspired exhibition – watercolours, pastels, pencils and inks in striking layers of colour and texture.

“It’s a refreshing look at still lives,“ Stephen explains.

Stephen was studio-bound for the last year, so this provided an opportunity to work on his still life and plant studies artwork.

Having trained at the Slade School of Fine Art at University College London, he left Highgate to work in Oxfordshire as assistant to Richard Hamilton, the founder of the British Pop Art movement.

Highgate Gallery was founded in 1994 and is part of the Highgate Scientific and Literary Institution and is housed within a 19th Century vaulted hall.

  • Highgate Gallery, South Grove, Highgate from Friday, July 12 to Thursday, July 25. Details: hlsi.net/gallery