INTERNATIONALLY renowned artist Christian Furr will return home this autumn for an exhibition of his work at the Williamson Art Gallery and Museum.

Born in Heswall, Christian went to Ladymount Primary School, followed by St Anselm's College and later attended Wirral Met College for a foundation year in art.

He then studied fine art in De Montfort University.

In 1995, aged 28, Christian became the youngest artist to paint Queen Elizabeth II after being commissioned by Royal Overseas League - a print of this painting will be included in the exhibition which takes place from Saturday, September 28 to Sunday, November 24.

Wirral Globe:

Christian Furr, HM Queen Elizabeth II, 1995

His works have adorned the walls of Saatchi Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, Royal Society of Portrait Painters and the private collection at the Vatican.

He is also collected privately around the world and features in the permanent collection of the Dorchester Collection's flagship art hotel 45 Park Lane in London.

Colin Simpson, principal museums officer for the Williamson told the Globe: “We are pleased to welcome back to Wirral an artist who has made a substantial career for himself.

"He embraces variety and diversity, often collaborating with artists with very different skills, and this mid-career retrospective will allow us all to appreciate both the range and the quality of Christian’s work to date.”

The new exhibition charts his early interests in learning from the figurative tradition and features examples of his more recent collaborations with other artists.

A new self-portrait will also be unveiled for the show.

Wirral Globe:

Boogie Nights

It is part of the celebrations for Wirral’s year as Borough of Culture.

Cllr Christine Spriggs, Cabinet Member for Culture and Tourism said: “We are thrilled that Christian Furr has returned to Wirral to exhibit this fine retrospective of his work as part of Wirral’s Borough of Culture year.

"His exhibition will inspire the young people of the area to be creative as Christian was by the artwork he saw as a boy in the Williamson in Birkenhead and the Walker in Liverpool.”