A SERIES of art talks in Cradley aim to explain why artists distort reality.

Presenting Art Talks in the barn at Home End Farm is quirky artist Filbert Splosh, previously a grammar school head known as Paul Priestley.

Geared to make art more accessible, the talks will explore why Van Gogh chopped off his ear, why Tracy Emin's bed appeared at the Tate gallery before being bought for £25,000, and why Picasso, who could draw and paint like Leonardo da Vinci, chose to viciously distort reality.

Describing the motivation behind Art Talks, Filbert said: "Essentially, I try to get people to understand the passion, drama and the sheer joy of creating art. There is so much more to it than just technical skill, which is what so many people use as their yardstick for judging art.

"I want to make the whole Art Talk experience informative, entertaining and fun - fertiliser for the mind and a massage for the eyeballs."

Talks include Cubes, Goats and Masterpieces: Yo Picasso on June 9, Rotting Flesh, Crawling Ants and a Mad Dali on June 23 and From Marble to Elephant Dung; but is it Art? on July 7.

Talks start at 7.45pm Tickets are available on the door or from www.filbertsplosh.co.uk.

Entry is £5, including a glass of wine, admission for children between 10 and 16 is £2.50.