Rotten tomatoes, mouldy bread, stale cheese and black bananas will be the centrepieces of a new art exhibition opening in Leigh.

The bizarre exhibits are the work of artist and writer Michael Smietana, who says he wants to highlight how mankind wastes a massive amount of food globally.

Every single exhibit, from the tomato enclosed in a glass case to a bowl of decomposing fruit, will be for sale - with prices between £950 and £2,000.

The exhibition, called Spoiled Rotten, will be open to the public at the Darren Goddard Gallery in St Clement's Arcade, The Broadway, from January 4 to 24.

It has been given the official seal of approval from Oxfam, which stands to make ten per cent from the proceeds of all sales.

Oxfam bosses admitted they were bemused by the idea at first but now they are right behind it.

Someone who still remains to be convinced, however, is Mr Smietana's wife, Vivian.

That's because the exhibits are currently rotting away nicely in the back room of their flat in Cliff Parade, Leigh, in readiness for the big day.

Mr Smietana, 50, a former advertising writer who is originally from Canada, said: "She has complained bitterly about the smell. But I've told her it's in the cause of art so I think she's OK abut it now."

But he added: "All the exhibits will be hygienically sealed at the gallery so there will be no smells."

He is organising the exhibition with his photographer brother-in-law Clive Green, who lives in Bournemouth.

He said: "He's the lucky one because he's taken the photographs and doesn't have the exhibits in his house."

Asked where they got the idea from, he said: "It really came about when I discovered some wasted food at the back of our refrigerator. We felt it was a shame but that it made an important point."

He admitted he wasn't sure if people would be interested in buying the exhibits.

"It's really hard to say. But I think there are people who will see it from the same perspective. They will be surprised when they see the exhibits because they are not horrible or nasty."

Mr Goddard admitted he was a little dubious about the idea at first, but he said: "When I saw the pictures of their work I was impressed."

Oxfam's Fiona Roberts said: "It's not exactly your standard exhibition is it? But it will make people think and that can only be a good thing."

The exhibition is open from 10am to 5.30pm from January 4 to 24. For more information call 07974 628797.

Not to be sniffed at - Michael Smietana works on his masterpieces

Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL

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