Missile-launcher art 'inspired by Bond villains'

An artist is using pyrotechnics and a home-made missile launcher to create his work.

Marcus Dove says he is inspired by Picasso's idea that "acts of art start with acts of destruction".

"Then I was talking to my grandfather about the war, and I've seen some Bond movies, and the idea came to me - use pyrotechnics to make art," he said.

With help from engineers he created the launcher but also uses flares, blowtorches and black powder tape.

He admitted the process had involved a lot of trial and error.

"The first time I did not ask anybody," he said.

"I was in a car park testing it out and some security came round.

"I thought they were going to tell me and off and say 'you can't be doing this' - but they offered to block off the whole top level for me."

Earlier this year, Mr Dove, who is a recent graduate of Leicester's De Montfort University, created an artwork for Baroness Lawrence to mark her appointment as the university's chancellor.