Boy showcases his 'tiny gallery' of artworks

News imageBBC Max standing next to the Tiny Gallery outside his home in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire.BBC
Max has curated his own exhibition outside his Melton Mowbray home

A boy who spent his summer holiday recreating works of art in miniature has put his creations on display to the public.

Max, seven, recreated works including the Mona Lisa and Vincent van Gogh's The Starry night for his "Tiny Gallery" which is being showcased outside his home in Leicestershire.

He said the idea for the theme of his gallery, which also features small croissants, French flags and paintings of the Eiffel Tower, came after a visit to Paris earlier this year.

Max said that next month, his pieces will be inspired by artist Andy Warhol. All items are up for sale, with proceeds going to The Air Ambulance Service.

News imageMax's 'Tiny Gallery' features French-inspired artwork
This month, Max's 'Tiny Gallery' features French-inspired artwork

Max, who is neurodivergent, said the idea to create a miniature gallery came from visiting "lots of cake sheds" near the family's home in Melton Mowbray.

"My mummy and I like art and she takes me to see lots of exhibitions and does art activities with me," he said.

"There was an art competition at my school, and I did some colourful pieces. So, I thought I could use some for my first exhibition.

"I also made some mosaic, inspired by French art. My daddy built the tiny gallery box."

Max said he was "happy and excited" that people had seen his gallery and had donated more than £165 to charity so far.

"I'm raising money for The Air Ambulance Service because they are really important in helping people," he added.

News imageMax and his mother Laura standing next to the Tiny Gallery outside their home in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire.
Laura said she was "really proud" of what Max had done for charity

Max's mother Laura, 39, said: "Max kept asking me if we could open our own cake shed and I was like, 'Baking's not really my thing'.

"He really loved the idea of having a tiny gallery on the front garden and raising money for charity.

"It's been really nice to collaborate with him and have a thing that's both our passion and get to work on together."

Laura said Max had chosen all the themes for each month, adding they have all been "inspired off things that Max has seen and what Max loves".

"We went to Paris in February, we went to the Louvre Museum and saw the real Mona Lisa. Max absolutely loved it," she said.

News imageMax's 'Tiny Gallery' next month is inspired by artist Andy Warhol
Max's 'Tiny Gallery' theme next month has been inspired by artist Andy Warhol

Laura added: "Then we went to see the Andy Warhol exhibition in Nottingham recently.

"It makes me really proud of what he's done and the fact that he's done it all for charity."

She said the exhibition has been "super popular" with the community.

"It's been really nice to have support from the local community, from our friends, our neighbours and lots of people that we don't know as well," she added.

"They have come and bought something, they've supported the charity and supported Max and his gallery."

The Air Ambulance Service provides emergency care across Leicestershire, Rutland, Warwickshire, Northamptonshire and Derbyshire.

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