STROUD House Gallery's provocative new exhibition opens this week under the title Mastering It.

"Informed, progressive and dedicated, the artists in this current exhibition have recently completed a masters degree in their chosen field," said curator Lyn Cluer-Coleman.

"Each is documenting universal experience in ways that will surprise and provoke."

Robert Bradford (Royal College of Art) incorporates natural and synthetic materials in his Toy Box Series, which will be on display. The plastic toys he uses already have a history, the resultant sculptures create new meanings and provide intriguing reference points.

David Dixon (Winchester) will be exhibiting a site-specific installation in two rooms in the basement.

Stephen Buckeridge (Middlesex) works with organic materials to pour, smear and skid media to create marks of great vitality and spontaneity.

"The surfaces present an area of discordance between beauty and repulsion," he said.

The work of Julie Cassels (Manchester Metropolitan) interweaves photographic theory, fine art techniques and textile narrative.

The use of digital technology enables her to reference traditional painting in her images whilst capturing the immediacy in the flow, light and movement of fabric.

Merrie Curtiss-Fuller (Christchurch) works in oil to create powerful portraits.

Her subjects are well known to her and thus a relationship is explored and exposed.

She is fascinated by the state of sleep and studies the vulnerable faces of her sitters in peaceful abandon.

Other artists included in the show are: Simon Jaques (Slade), Karen Brighton (Cheltenham), Judith Thomson (Goldsmiths), Naomi Kashiwagi (Manchester), Becky Drayson (Falmouth), Helen Burrow (De Montfort), Jane Brighton (Cheltenham).

The exhibition opens on Thursday, February 16 and runs until March 17. Stroud House Gallery, on Station Road, is open Wednesday to Saturday from 10.30am to 5pm or by appointment. Entry is free.