Anatomy of the Mind: legendary artist Andy Denzler's dramatic take on lockdown

The show, at Opera Gallery London, will open on 3 June and feature 20 new works, all created during the lockdown. These pieces will explore our capacity as humans to use our minds to travel, even when our physical bodies cannot – something we've all been experimenting with, to some extent, over the last 12 months.

Even if you haven't heard of Denzler, you may well recognise some of his large-scale artworks, which have been attracting eye-watering prices at auction recently. His signature distorted style gives his paintings a sense of curiosity and elusiveness, while his use of colour and obscure lighting creates a tangible air of drama and ambience.

"I painted these new works during lockdown at a time when travelling was not possible," says the artist. "I started to paint these places of longing; it is a form of escapism and a desire to create invented places. Rather than just telling stories or documenting a certain situation, my paintings depict people in a new light. The invented landscapes are the results of multiple layers of different images. The possibilities are endless."