As a child, Robert Oxley spent his hours roaming the forests around a north-east coalmining village, dreaming of becoming a zookeeper. Today, the lions, tigers and elephants who roamed his imagination are given life in his dazzling wildlife paintings. Immersing himself in pop surrealism, Oxley presents viewers with what he calls “psychedelic natural history”.

Oxley’s affinity with nature is evident in every instinctive brushstroke. He began his art career by painting his school friend’s denim jackets with the logos of their favourite heavy metal bands. This rock ‘n’ roll ethos can be seen in his art, with its loose paintwork and free attitude, which makes it so popular with his many collectors.