Get a taste of chocol-art (From Stroud News and Journal)

Get a taste of chocol-art

AN ART exhibit with an unusual flavour is coming to Stroud and anyone with an appetite for art is invited to taste it.

Gloucestershire artist Prudence Staite, who creates artworks from chocolate, is showing her latest confectionery creation at Stroud House Gallery from tomorrow, Thursday, April 17 until May 3.

The piece, a Victorian room in the style of a doll's house, is part of the gallery's new Paradise... possibly exhibition.

The room has solid chocolate skirting boards, a royal icing ceiling, four miniature sugar interiors and solid chocolate portraits of the Queen, Prince Charles and celebrity couple Posh and Becks.

According to curator Lyn Cluer Coleman, visiting the work is a perfect Easter treat, especially as people are invited to nibble on the materials.

They are expected to melt as the exhibition goes on and, Lyn said, the process of disintegration will serve to highlight the artist's use of unusual materials.

Tewkesbury-based Prudence Stait has made a reputation from installations from chocolate and sugar and her portraits of French and Saunders, commissioned by Channel 4, have appeared on the Richard and Judy show.

She said: "I invite my viewers to interact with my work by biting, licking and touching it.

"I think food is an art form and art should be a fun experience for everyone."

Other Paradise... possibly artists include Rosie Morgan, Max Hymes and Marcia Pirie.

The gallery is open from Wednesday to Saturday from 10.30am to 5.30pm. See Prudence's other work at www.foodisart.co.uk.