A MODERN art exhibition based on one of Blackburn Art Gallery's most famous collection has recently been launched.

Vellum Subspace (Home Office) by New Zealand-born artist Wendy Bornholdt started a four-month run at Blackburn Art Gallery on Friday and is directly inspired by the Edward Hart collection of manuscripts that has been housed at the gallery for nearly 30 years.

Wendy beat off other artists to win the commission and gallery curator Steve Whittle, said the project was two-fold.

"We wanted to bring more attention to the manuscripts. A lot of people just aren't aware that the gallery has got such a fine and important collection," said Steve.

"Plus we wanted to bring the cutting edge of contemporary art to the town which is something we haven't done before.

"Wendy's is our first piece and we hope it will be successful and become the first of many."

Wendy's exhibition features a row of cubicles with mirrors in a dimly-lit area of the gallery. Although the piece is based on the religious connotations of the manuscripts, Wendy said the interpretation is entirely up to the visitor.

"I hope people will spend some time before going away to think about it," said Wendy, who is now based in York. "Some people may be unnerved by it, but that is healthy.

"Any response is better than indifference."

Wendy is pictured with one of her works, Towel and Soap.