THE latest exhibition at the Zillah Bell Gallery is refreshing, thoughtprovoking - and often startling.

It's refreshing because for once the emphasis is upon the human figure, both as a work of art in itself and within its environment, both natural and man-made.

The show starts with startling, large black and white acrylics on canvas by Maria Pia Brancati, not just of modern iconic personalities such as Clint Eastwood, but with sensual, captivating nudes such as The Embrace.

Nearby and equally captivating is the raku glazed stoneware Moi Breastplate by Carolyn Cornfield.

These contrast well with delightful traditional sculptures by Joy Bently and heavily textured, bright abstracts by Virginia Bodman.

A witty cartoon about Northern Rock by John Longstaff (Cluff of The Northern Echo) draws one to the smaller, hidden rooms of this gallery. The room dedicated to his work includes fascinating contrasts between his cartoons and his ink and watercolour studies of the human figure.

Fun on the beach starts here with his Sea Fret and continues elsewhere in the gallery with Gina Morton's watercolours of people enjoying themselves at Whitby.

She paints excellent studies of people interacting with man-made environments, ranging from a steam engine driver to market day in Barnard Castle.

This theme is developed further by Clare Titterington with luminous oils on canvas showing gatherings of figures in town and city settings.

Robert Cooper and Andy Lamb successfully use photographs to explore questions of human identity and meaning. Cooper's action shots of people performing are especially effective, as is Lamb's picture of a nun's loving care for an elderly woman.

For pure enjoyment of the everyday aspect of our lives, little beats Daphne Chandler's oils on canvas of a girl meeting a cat or of two children with an icicle.

This exhibition makes a visit to Thirsk a must before it finishes on April 26.