A FORMER Meltham artist has been asked to take part in one of the world’s most prestigious art exhibitions.

Darren Baker’s paintings will be on display at the Florence Biennale.

The international art fair is held every two years in the historical Fortezza da Basso in Florence, Italy.

It has grown into the world’s most comprehensive exhibition of contemporary art, showing more than 800 artists from 70 different countries.

Darren, who now lives in the Cotswolds, was selected by an international committee to exhibit there.

The artist will also be opening his solo show at Clarendon Fine Art gallery in Mayfair, London, on September 8.

There he will be unveiling his portrait of the Queen, who he painted last autumn.

The artist moved to be closer to the capital, where he paints many of his commissions.