DARWEN ceramics king Ed Chapman is to display his mosaic masterpieces at a very unusual exhibition space.

The 40-year-old, who was raised in The Vicarage in Hawkshaw Avenue, will show his painstaking portraits of celebrities, made from hundreds of hand-cut tiles, at the Playboy Club in London.

Former St Cuthbert’s Primary School pupil Ed said: “I am delighted and proud to be showing work at such an iconic venue.

“I have created several new works that are in varying ways relevant to Playboy Club and its location.

“I can promise several mosaic styles that have never been attempted before…fun, detailed, colourful, and I hope a talking point.”

Of his unique style, he said: “I am having fun with mosaics and exploring their possibilities of this age-old medium.

“I have long loved mosaics, I don’t know exactly why. It’s part of an obsession of mine in that I strive for a sort of ‘neatness’ and precision and accuracy and attempt to create intricate photo-realist portraits using materials that are clumsy and ordinary in themselves.

“I like it for the first-time viewer to question if the mosaics are, in fact paintings and, if not, what are they?”

Ed has exhibited worldwide and his work has pride of place in the homes of high-profile collectors including renowned musicians such as Annie Lennox and Lemmy from Motorhead, TV stars and television personalities, UK pop stars, and England footballers.

In 2009 he raised £6,000 for Cancer Research UK by auctioning his ceramic portrait of Beatle John Lennon, and raised more than £23,000 with a portrait of Jimi Hendrix made from more than 3,000 Fender plectrums.

Adam Roberts, general manager at the Playboy Club, said: “Ed Chapman’s mosaics need to be seen in the flesh to be truly appreciated.”

The exhibition runs from May 4 to June 13 at the Playboy Club at 14 Old Park Lane. Non-members are welcome.