EXPLORE the surreal visual art of a Berlin artist at a Torfaen photography gallery this month.

The event is part of a series arranged by the Kickplate Project at their their 76m2 gallery in Commercial Street, Pontypool.

The Studies in Blue exhibition, by Marit Beer, will run until April 8 and explores "similarities between humans and landscape".

Speaking about this relationship, she said: "On the surface, from a distance (people) are usually friendly beings, well-conditioned to live together peacefully as part of a community.

"Yet every one of them carries their own story. These stories are what I look for in friends and strangers - and sometimes images form."

Marit Beer has had exhibitions all over Europe and her current exhibition was shot entirely on film.

The Kickplate Project is a not for profit organisation which seeks to cure “small town boredom” and encourage people from the Valleys to experience art, so tickets to the exhibition are free.

It opened in Pontypool this year with the support from the Arts Council of Wales, Torfaen Council’s Arts Development and Pontypool Community Council.

One of its founders, Zosia Krasnowolska, said: “We think it's unfair that people from the towns in the Valleys have to make an effort and venture out to bigger towns like Cardiff.

"We would like to reverse this and say that everyone should have equal access to art and culture.”

The gallery is open between 11am and 6pm Tuesday to Saturday, is wheelchair accessible and also has audio description available.

Along with the current exhibition, the gallery also has a dark room, which visitors are welcome to use to develop their own photos.

To find out more about Marit Beer's art, visit www.maritbeer.de or search 'Kickplate Project' on Facebook.