A NEW exhibition of unique landscapes depicting the Yorkshire coast and countryside opens at Scarborough’s Stephen Joseph Theatre this month.

Landlines, by Staithes-based artist and printmaker Ian Mitchell, can be seen in the theatre’s gallery from Monday, June 17 to Saturday, August 31.

Ian’s delineated style is based on a stripped-down reality, and pays homage to early 20th century travel posters, drawing on the reductive style of German and Swiss designs of the same period.

Ian said: “Using my original sketches and photographs, I work digitally to refine and reduce the source material down to minimalist forms and shapes, discarding clutter and using artistic licence.

“I started this journey about 20 years ago when I began experimenting and utilising software from my background as a graphic designer.

“I’m always in search of the ‘view’, but looking towards a minimal reductive outcome.

“For me, it’s all about the design, composition and aesthetics of a view.

“My representation is often cheated and either exaggerated or underplayed, but the interpretation is always based on a reality.

“The viewer brings their own experiences to the reading of the work.

“My work to date has been rooted in the British Landscape tradition of natural scenery.

“However, I am increasingly drawn to contemporary man-made landscapes: the concrete modernism of architecture, bridges and the sea defences.”

Ian and his wife, fellow artist Stef Mitchell, have a gallery and studio at Staithes.

The gallery at the Stephen Joseph Theatre is open from 10am to 6pm, Mondays to Saturdays, except during show times. Entry is free.

The Stephen Joseph Theatre’s small gallery space is situated in the area outside The Round auditorium.

The theatre’s gallery is currently hosting an exhibition of work by artist Claire West, and in the autumn it will display the work of artist and graphic designer Andrea Hall.

For more information about this events, go to sjt.uk.com/visitingus/the_gallery