By Tom Bourton BBC News Online

A new exhibition of paintings by one of Wales's most popular artists has opened in Swansea.

David Carpanini, who was born in the Afan Valley in 1946, focuses on the mining communities of south Wales in his work.

David Carpanini, courtesy of Bernard Mitchell

The exhibition, running until 25 May, is Carpanini's first solo show for four years and forms part of the 40th anniversary celebrations of the city's Attic gallery.

Carpanini said he was delighted to be part of the celebrations for the gallery, which was founded in 1962 to highlight the work of contemporary artists.

"It is a great distinction to be associated," he said on Monday.

"The gallery have been my dealers for a number of years, and to have the opportunity for a one-man show at this time is a delight."

'Creative trigger'

The inspiration for Carpanini's work is the area in which he was brought up, which he has described as a land "scarred by industrialisation".

Carpanini is honoured to be exhibited

He sees the mining communities as "home for a resolute people that I found a trigger for my creative imagination".

David Carpanini trained at the Royal College of Art and the University of Reading.

He is President of the Royal Society of Painter Printmakers and was formerly Professor of Art at the University of Wolverhampton.

His work is regularly exhibited at the Royal Academy and at other major exhibitions in the UK and abroad.

His wife Jane Carpanini is also a regular exhibitor at the Attic Gallery.

The gallery, in the old maritime section of Swansea, also actively seeks out and promotes the work of new and emerging artists.