A WORLD-RENOWNED artist will hold his first exhibition since the theft of more than £100,000's worth of his work from a Winchester zoo.

Pip McGarry, an African wildife artist, had his oil paintings stolen from Marwell Zoo in December last year.

Art worth more than £100,000 was taken when burglers broke into the gift shop of the zoo in Owslebury.

Now, he will hold an exhibition at The Frame Gallery in Odiham on April 28.

Pip is famed for his paintings of big cats and African animals, which are painted from scenes he witnessed whilst on safari in the wilderness areas of Tanzania, Kenya and Botswana.

His paintings have been sold for up to £80,000 and more than 50 of his works have been sold at auction, including at Christies and Sotheby’s auctioneers.

The self-taught artist spends much of his time in Africa and has led nearly thirty safaris for artists and photographers to date.

Pip said: “The Frame Gallery is an outstanding gallery and I could not ask for a better location to host my first exhibition since the theft at Marwell.”

The owner of The Frame Gallery, Jan Baker, said: “Pip’s exhibitions are always the highlight of our events calendar. His work is always popular, and we are hoping to break the record-breaking sales we achieved in previous exhibitions of his work here.”

Pip’s exhibition at The Frame Gallery runs until May 19.