TWO very different exhibitions open at Hereford Courtyard tomorrow (Friday) - one inspired by the artist's travels around the world and the other motivated by the sights and sounds of Hereford.

Travel photographer and writer Beccy Mair brings her view of Cuba to Hereford in her first-floor canyon exhibition entitled Curiously Cuban. Travel, the natural environment, and the invigorating unknown all inspire Beccy to reach for her camera.

"I've tried to capture something of the soul of this incredibly misunderstood country," she said.

"The colours, the buildings, the people and, of course, the cars that have made Cuba as famous as its cigars and rum. This is a magical country of bygone days you don't expect to see again away from old films on the television."

A photograph of their touring bicycles leaning against a billboard depicting Che Guevara really stands out for Beccy: "His life was revolution and freedom and there we were, enjoying the freedom to visit his world."

Beccy will be showing her pictures in both locally handmade box frames and the suspension frames that she designed herself.

At the same time, the gallery and second floor canyon space will be filled with Edward Ball's exciting Rhythm show. Edward paints in a fast flowing, dynamic way, lifting paint straight from the can using everyday kitchen spoons and applying it to large canvases and Perspex sheets.

His movements are instinctive, as he paints to music, allowing the rhythms and phrases to dictate his hand actions as he paints. He calls this unique process "rhythmo-kinetic".

Last year, there was a breakthrough for Edward when he was invited to exhibit in galleries in America and Canada. However, the real revelation of 2006 he says, was the step forward that his work took - a development into creating his own musical soundscapes. The first use of this new method was inspired by Hereford city and the surrounding countryside.

The centrepiece of this collection will be his new project called Soundscape Autumn Wye, in which the artist has attempted to capture the beauty of the River Wye during autumn. Using video and audio footage of the Wye, Edward composed an original piece of music, and used this as the driving force to paint an incredible 20ft x 3ft abstract canvas.

"I love and believe in explaining my artwork," he said. "I feel it is important for people to understand what you are trying to achieve."

As well as showing video footage of his methods as part of the exhibition, Edward will be creating a piece live in the gallery tomorrow (Friday) at 2pm.

For more details, visit www.courtyard.org.uk or call the box office on 0870 1122330. The shows continue through to April 14.