YORK portrait artist Hannah Ostapjuk will host a Meet The Artist event at her debut solo exhibition at the Clothworkers Centenary Concert Hall, School of Music, University of Leeds, on November 29 from 4pm to 6pm.

"Anyone is welcome to attend but it's a closed event, so visitors need their name on the guest list," forewarns Hannah. " All you need to do is message me your full name – and the names of anyone attending the event with you – via my website at hannahostapjuk.org/contact/ and I will put you on the guest list."

She was invited to exhibit in the concert hall foyer by Jillian Johnson, artistic director of the university's international concert series, and honorary exhibitions curator Philip Spellacy, becoming the first University of Leeds graduate to present work in this space.

“I was delighted to be approached by Jillian Johnson and to be presented with the opportunity to exhibit in such a significant place, the place where I learnt to oil paint," says Hannah. "The show includes one of my most popular paintings, Girl With Plaited Hair; my painting of Naomi Gabriel, Beautiful Mind; and my most notable portrait commission to date, Professor Michael Arthur.

"Naomi is an aspiring model and shop assistant, who I met Naomi while shopping in Leeds, where she works. There was just something about her. so I asked her if she would sit for me, and having done modelling before, she agreed."

Hannah's Portraits show of figurative paintings offers an opportunity to come face to face with the work of a young artist that possesses a remarkable resemblance to the people she studies, while creating an aura that draws in the viewer with its almost tactile quality.

Hannah employs the techniques of the old and modern masters, using oil paints in works with a strong focus on colour and an innovative approach to capturing the use of external light.

Portraits runs until December 12 and is open to the public on weekdays from 9am to 4.30pm. Admission is free.