Visitors to the Torch Theatre in Milford Haven are currrently able to view a fasc inating new art exhibition in the Oriel Joanne Field.

Entitled ‘Martian Skies’, the exhibition features 18 paintings from local artist Alan Rees-Baynes (otherwise known as the painting hotelier of Elm Grove Country House, St Florence).

Martian Skies is not only the title of the show, but it is the name of a household paint, which comes in six shades. Each painting in the show is undertaken using those shades that make up the test card.

The series of science fiction posters (each painting is cinema poster scale) begins with The War of the Worlds and continues through until Avatar. Each painting represents a different decade, starting in the 1950s and continuing until 2000s.

Alan said: “The films were chosen based on what they made me and, I’d like to think, other movie-goers feel. These feelings would alter (including special effects) during the decades and affect the way we have looked towards the skies.”

There is also a series of portraits of people who believe they were part of an alien abduction. These portraits, along with the movie posters, make up the 18-painting collection which visitors can view free of charge.

Alan added: “Do I believe? I think after immersing myself in the whole genre of alien interaction/abduction the Martian is very much in our human psyche and I will be always a little wary of what may appear from our skies.”

The exhibition at the Joanna Field Gallery opened last week and runs until April 30.

You can also find out more about Alan Rees-Baynes’ art, by visiting: www.alanreesbaynes.co.uk