Bringing Ashley's art to the heart of the City

Leeds-based law firm Walker Morris is sponsoring an exhibition by Mr Jackson which could help to attract more visitors to Yorkshire.

The exhibition – The Power and the Passion – featuring scenes from the North York Moors, will open at the Mall Galleries, near Buckingham Palace in October before moving to Temple Newsam, near Leeds, where it will stay until May 2011.

The exhibition will bring 35 of Mr Jackson's paintings of the countryside into the City, encouraging Londoners and other visitors to consider the region as a tourist destination.

Mr Jackson, who turns 70 later this year, is one of Britain's best known artists. He has given painting demonstrations in the gardens of Highgrove, the home of the Prince of Wales.

The Prince is providing the foreword to the exhibition's commemorative brochure, for which funds raised will be donated to the Prince's Trust.

Walker Morris has provided arts sponsorship for more than 20 years. Ian Gilbert, Walker Morris managing partner, said: "At its best art challenges perceptions and stimulates different ways of thinking. That is why, even at this time of economic challenge, it is impor-tant that support for the arts be maintained and we are delighted to make our contribution through this latest sponsorship."