A world famous portrait artist who has painted the likes of John Hurt, Prince Philip and J.K. Rowling is set to host a special lecture in Bungay.

Stuart Pearson Wright will be appearing at The Fisher Theatre, in Broad Street, on Friday March 16.

Along with a lecture, the artist will be showing one of his film installations - which features British actress Kiera Knightly.

A spokesman for The Fisher Theatre said: “We are very privileged to be able to host a lecture from Stuart Pearson Wright.

“He is outspoken, dry, witty and widely regarded as one of the UK’s leading portrait artists.

“His work is world-class and he is an extraordinarily interesting person with a brilliant sense of humour.”

The spokesman added: “It will surely be a very entertaining evening.”

Mr Wright first came to national prominence in 2001 when he won the prestigious BP Portrait Award for ‘Gallus Gallus with Still Life and Presidents’.

The painting depicts a boardroom with six elderly male academics – past presidents of the British Academy – seated around a table on which a large dead chicken is laid out.

As part of the BP awards first prize he was commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery to create a portrait of author J.K Rowling.

One of Mr Wright’s most famous works of art came about through a chance meeting with actor John Hurt.

During his time at the Slade School of Fine Art in London the artist set out across Britain - travelling around in a van.

As he passed through the nation he would stop to produce sketches and paintings as he went.

The artist encountered the famous actor during the trip and the meeting resulted in a small portrait on oak, which was eventually purchased by the National Portrait Gallery.

The work created during the trip came together for an exhibition entitled ‘From Eastbourne to Edinburgh – a Painter’s Odyssey’ which again was held at the National Portrait Gallery.

Now living and working close to Bungay as he produces a new body of paintings, Mr Wright is set to enthral the Bungay audience with his latest lecture.

Tickets for the unmissable event, which starts 7.30 pm, are available from the Fisher Theatre box office on 01986 891 130 or online at www.fisherthatre.org