Jim Moir showcases bird art in exhibition

More than 50 works by Jim Moir have gone on display in Harrogate

An exhibition of paintings of birds by the artist and comedian Jim Moir, otherwise known as Vic Reeves, has gone on display for the first time.

The exhibition entitled Birdland opened at RedHouse Gallery in Harrogate on Thursday.

Moir, 65, who worked with Bob Mortimer on shows such as Shooting Stars and Vic Reeves' Big Night Out, said he had always wanted to be known more for his art than his comedy.

Gallery director Richard McTegue said to be able to showcase Moir's skill as a painter was "a real honour".

Jim Moir who was born in Leeds said painting had always been his first love

Talking about where his passion for painting came from Moir said: "When I was a kid there were no laptops or games or anything like that, so you made your entertainment outdoors and mine was looking for birds."

He said his daily routine was simple: "I wake up in the morning usually about 5am and I go out and I look at birds then I come back and I paint them."

Famous for his surreal comedy Moir insisted he would much rather be known for his artwork.

"That's always been the way. I've never really been a comedian, I was an actor I suppose for a bit doing comedy," he said.

The exhibition includes detailed observations of more than 50 different birds including pigeons and seagulls

As well as his work on a host of television shows Moir has also published books of his art and held exhibitions at venues including the Saatchi Gallery and the Whitechapel Gallery in London.

He also hosts Painting Birds with Jim and Nancy Moir on Sky Arts Television.

Some of the first visitors to the new exhibition said they did not know Muir was also an artist

Gallery director Richard McTegue said: "I love it and now it's installed we're finally able to appreciate it.

"Just the diversity and to show his skill as a painter is a real honour."

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