Be prepared to be astonished by the hidden beauty of insects, come and explore Infestation at Trowbridge Town Hall.

Alex Jones is a traditionally trained wood sculptor who has been based in Winchester since 1992 where he has been carving a menagerie of large creatures and bugs for thirteen years. Alex is inspired by many different sources from the figurative beauty of Grinling Gibbons, through the humour of the medieval misère chords, to the otherworldliness of Jeff Koons .

Playing with scale he encourages the viewer to revisit their preconceptions of these ‘ugly bugs’. For this exhibition he has chosen some of his favourite beasts to convince you of their unappreciated beauty. Some are recalled from private collections so it is a rare chance to see them in a public gallery setting.

The exhibition tours to Trowbridge Town Hall from Pound Arts, Corsham where it has been widely acclaimed and appreciated. See how these magnificent creatures look as they infest this historic building in the heart of Trowbridge.

Highlights of the exhibition include Alex's latest piece, a Swallowtail Butterfly with a wing span of fifteen feet, probably the biggest carved butterfly in the world. The common house spider, which we might find loitering in our bath, becomes an elegant eight foot alien-like creature, carved in oak and black walnut. Silver gilded lime-wood fleas hop across the gallery wall like clichéd flying ducks and a huge daddy-long-legs which wags its maple wings on pulling a cord.

These beasts are an antidote to the usual comfortable world of wood sculpture. Think less cute woodland creatures and more seven foot long tank-like beetles. These were carved for the Lost Gardens of Heligan from oak with lime inlay.

Chris Packham described the work as “absolutely magnificent!” when Alex appeared on the BBC’s Spring Watch, so please visit Trowbridge Arts to experience for yourself the unexpected beauty to be found in the animal kingdom.

Alex Jones’ Infestation exhibition at Trowbridge Town Hall for Trowbridge Arts runs from Friday 29 May to Saturday 11 July. Entry is free. There is an Evening View and Meet the Artist Event on Thursday 28 May from 6-8pm which is also free but please RSVP to artassistant@trowbridgearts.com. For more information, please contact Trowbridge Arts on 01225 774306 or visit www.trowbridgearts.com

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Notes to editors:

Since 1992 Alex Jones has created a number of sculptures for a diverse range of public clients including the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, the White House Private Members’ Club, Twyford Church, South Harting Primary School and King Edward VI School Southampton (coats of arms).

His many unique private commissions include a bronze chameleon, a 7ft dandelion in aluminium resin, silver gilded prawns, an intricate dragon in natural wood and a full size portrait of a man.

Exhibition runs from Friday 29 May to Saturday 11 July

Gallery open 10am – 4pm Monday - Saturday. Entry is free

Box office: 01225 774306

www.trowbridgearts.com