Artist will not give up on the challenge of painting music

Whoever the progenitor, it is worth repeating: "Writing about music is like dancing about architecture."

When this quote is put to Alfred Hackett, it is clear it is not the first time he has heard it, nor is it the first time he has considered the meaning behind the phrase.

"Yes, well, painting music is an impossible task. That's why I'm going to carry on attempting to do it," he says.

The painter is in York to see his latest exhibition open today. Earlier this year he repeated an exercise he first undertook in 1995, when he was appointed artist in residence at the York Early Music Festival.

Back then he found he was left with so much material that it played on his mind –

for the past 15 years.

Earlier this year he was invited to come back to Yorkshire to once again take up a residency at the York Early Music Festival, held at venues around York in July.

"There was a magical performance at Harewood House where I painted while the concert took place," says Hackett. "Radio 3 was recording, so I had to be very quiet, but I wanted to try and capture the energy of the voilinist and the sound of the voices."

A total of 25 paintings produced from the inspiration Hackett found at this year's festival, along with two inspired by the visit 15 years ago, go on display at the National Centre for Early Music in York today until December 23. Hackett, who is an early music enthusiast, is delighted to see his work go on display in the venue.

"It feels almost like a retrospective of my work and it's wonderful to see all the work together."