Salon gives artists a head start

Artist Mark Parkin is the first to exhibit his work at the salon

Artists searching for somewhere to stage their first exhibition have a new venue - a hair salon.

A gallery for up and coming talent is being opened on Monday at the Cracked Actors salon in south Wales town of Caerphilly.

Owner Gordon Sharp said he aimed to make art accessible without having to visit conventional galleries.

Cardiff-born artist Mark Parkin is the first to showcase his work to customers and art lovers at the salon.

We are pleased to give this opportunity to artists that would not be given the time of day by the large city galleries Gordon Sharp

Mr Sharp said he wanted to combine his love of art with his career.

When it came to having the premises refurbished he had it designed so that it could operate as both an exhibition space and working salon.

"We are now able to mount exhibitions as a genuine gallery and we are delighted that we can now give artists the opportunity to exhibit their works," he said.

"None of our artists have had their own exhibitions before.

"We are really pleased to be able to give this opportunity to artists that would not be given the time of day by the large city galleries."

Visitors to the gallery will have a chance buy works on show.

Mr Parkin, who spent seven years in Spain, said his work was influenced by surrealists Salvador Dali and Giorgio de Chirico.

Monday sees a private viewing of his work with the gallery open to the public on Tuesday.