Carving A Niche – John Butler and the wood carver's art is the latest show at the Auld Kirk Museum.

John was born in 1947, the son of a traditional woocarver, and his gentle art is a genuine delight.

He deals with the 'banana skin' embarrassments of everyday living and celebrates the love, pathos and compassion found in life.

The show, which is on at the Cowgate museum until March 14, features a delightful selection of his work.

A spokesperson said: "He shares with other English artists – such as the famous 18th and 19th social caricaturist Thomas Rowlandson – a non-judgemental attitude towards his fellow creatures.

"The practicalities of everyday living, and the frequent injustices and injuries, gratuitous embarrassments, faux pas and 'banana skin' humiliations we all at one time or another have to endure, amuse him for the circumstances they provoke.

"In this sense there is a worldliness about Butler's work that is belied by the gentle humour, and indeed what might be called 'sweetness,' of its form and execution.

"There is a pressing place today for art that unabashedly celebrates the exceptionalness of ordinary existence; that reminds us that we are all celebrities to ourselves and to our friends and that this is good and proper.

"Carving A Niche is an exhibition of art work that does just that."

The Auld Kirk Museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday, 10am-1pm and 2-5pm. Admission is free.