A KEIGHLEY artist was determined to use lockdown to pursue his dreams.

And Peter Mastrantuono’s desire to emerge from the pandemic with something positive paid off.

He has achieved a life-long ambition to gain representation from an art gallery.

Peter has been ‘adopted’ by Context Art Gallery in Treviso, Italy, which specialises in contemporary work and is dedicated to established and mid-career artists.

He has also been invited by Van Gogh Art Gallery in Madrid to exhibit at the International Contemporary Arts Expo, to be held in Luxembourg in September.

Peter has previously exhibited at Hull’s Ferens Art Gallery and a few pieces from his collection have recently been on display at Keighley Arts Hub.

“The paintings have been a long-standing and evolving body of work throughout my life,” he said.

“It initially started out as a concept from an assignment when I attended Keighley College in 1997.

“The artworks focus on the abstraction of elements, seasons and emotions, often encompassing a reaction to music I am listening to at that specific time.

“Each ‘monolith’ is an immediate reaction – depicting a certain moment in time – and acts as a building block to create an ever-growing, continuous modular piece of work that can change to respond to its environment.”

Peter is a multidisciplinary artist who works with traditional and digital techniques in photography, print and painting.

Jane Howie – manager of Keighley Arts Hub, which is based in the town’s Marks & Spencer store – said the venue was delighted to exhibit some of his work.

She added: “The aim of the hub – which is supported by East Arts – is to provide community arts and culture in the heart of Keighley and help rejuvenate the life and soul of our town centre.”

She said the building was already home to a number of organisations and businesses including a furniture restorer and upholsterer, Small World Culture Arts Collective, North Wind Tribal belly dance studio, Keighley Photo Hub, a textile embroiderer, bookbinder and Keighley Cat Care.

Peter said he’d been grateful for the opportunity to exhibit in his home town and he thanked everyone who had provided support.

More about his work can be found at artsy.net or on Instagram, @artstudio_pm.