The Cauliflower in High Road, Ilford, is hosting the event which starts today (Thurs) and runs for the next two weeks.

A selection of work by Lowell H Johnson will be displayed at the pub, which reopened in December after being taken over and renovated.

Conscious Cosmos is curating the exhibition, which features landscape paintings and drawings.

Events manager Kim Judge said: “We are very happy to present the first art exhibition due to be held at The Cauliflower gin palace, a grade two listed building over 100 years old.

“Collectively we have a passion to improve the basis of arts and culture within the local area and hope to do so with regular events and exhibitions.”

She said Mr Johnson was “an artist who exponentially draws upon neo-expressionism in his work”.

“The chosen works depict many locations but can highlight the means of structural redevelopment and alternating landscapes through his organic build-up on the canvases created by using various palettes,” she said.

The pub was taken over by ]landlord Reiss Matto in November 2013, and reopened in December – two years after it closed.

The Victorian building has chandeliers, wooden panels and mirrors, and will eventually operate as a hotel, with 26 rooms in the upper floors.

Last June, the Cauliflower was granted listed status by English Heritage following a campaign by residents to protect the building.

Rumours had circulated the pub could be turned into a supermarket.

The council had previously added it to its local list and served a notice to prevent the building being demolished.