A FORMER professional cricket player is back in the spotlight for his artistic flair. Elliott Wilson, who works from a studio in a barn in Stebbing, was a highly regarded batsman in his youth and went on to play for Worcestershire in the late 1990s before

A FORMER professional cricket player is back in the spotlight for his artistic flair.

Elliott Wilson, who works from a studio in a barn in Stebbing, was a highly regarded batsman in his youth and went on to play for Worcestershire in the late 1990s before a serious back injury finished his career.

The 32-year-old has since turned his batting skills into a successful art career and he featured in the Broadcast in March previous to his first solo exhibition at London's Docklands, which proved a big hit in the art world.

Now, until July 8, his work will be display in Chelmsford's High Chelmer Shopping Centre; he has transformed an empty shop unit into a space for contemplating the controversial question of 'what is art?'

Mr Wilson - who won the highest every art scholarship awarded to Felsted School while a pupil there - said: "Since returning to art I have found that I have departed from being interested in the world as it appears to be, to more conceptual ideas. For example, why something abstract placed in a gallery space achieves artistic merit, whilst another familiar shape or 'everyday' object in a similar environment does not.

"I have brought my imagery to an empty shop unit to explore the merit shape, form and colour can achieve by bringing art to the people and offering this decision to them instead."

Since giving up cricket, Mr Wilson has used his 'creative hands' to develop a collection of contemporary art work that has been exhibited in various venues throughout London, including a forthcoming exhibition at the Congingsby Gallery throughout September.

He will also be exhibiting in the Chelmsford Arts Trail 2009 from September 12-20 at the Anglia Ruskin University gallery (www.chelmsford.gov.uk/artstrail) and his work can be viewed at www.ellitottwilson.co.uk

If you are an artist interested in exhibition opportunities or want to enquire about using a vacant space within the town creatively, contact Chelmsford Borough Council Arts Development on 01245 606691 or at artsdevelopment@chelmsford.gov.uk