More than 34 artists are represented across a wide range of media including a short film.

"I understand it is much easier to send small works internationally but I have been surprised by the number and quality of works submitted for this show," said Cupola managing director Karen Sherwood.

"In a world where the bold statement and the grand gesture has ruled supreme for too many years, it appears that artists are looking to make personal, intimate, almost private works which ask the viewer or audience to move closer or look more carefully; to take time, to contemplate and to think. In other words to stop or slow down just long enough to notice and enjoy details and 'little things' that we all too often miss."

Jo Evans' intricately cut and sculpted books sit alongside the intricate paper cut out Bird Microscope (2cm x 2cm x 2cm) by Josh Baum. Detailed and sensitively painted sculpted paper and wire figures that seem to be a still from a stage set or theatre production and a plaster puppet by Molly Barrett feature along with the miniature pieces by costumier Anna Cocciadiferro.

Beautiful miniature glass works by Anthony Scala, who specialises in cutting polishing and assemblage, mirror the skill of the miniature thrown ceramic vessels of Sylvia Glover, who has utilised dentistry tools in order to make such tiny pieces.

More playful pieces include mini 'stage sets' using ready-made objects placed inside cut tennis balls by Chris Wright, intricately hand-painted beer mats by Rob Fisher and textile collages "unravelling string theory" by Anne Menary.

Ink drawings, paintings, original printmaking, drawings, illustrations, miniaturised elements within jewellery, photography and sculpture in wood and stone are also represented.

Miniatures is at the Cupola Gallery, Middlewood Road, Hillsborough, until August 9.