A SCHOOL caretaker has opened his first mixed media exhibition inspired by the native Americans he met while touring the 'Wild West.'

Tim Beckerley, 49, who has been caretaker at St Saviour's CE Infant School, The Grove, Ealing for 22 years, has produced a stunning photo-montage, including American icons like the Stature of Liberty, Mount Rushmore and the American flag.

As his work goes on display at the Grove Gallery, The Grove, Ealing it is being simultaneously exhibited at Oglala (cor) Lakota College on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, one of the homelands of the Great Sioux Nation.

Tim, who lives on site, said his work was inspired by his first trip to the USA in 1997 but he had always loved the allure and mystery of native Americans. He said: "When I was a child I used to watch Westerns on TV, but always felt, intuitively something was wrong. A lot of people misappropriate their culture and create stereoptypical images. We should not regard them as noble savages. They are very spiritual and keen to hold on to the old ways.

"I went to the USA with a group in 1997 and it changed my life. I met so many people and have now been many times. I am still friends with some of the people I met on my first trip."

One hurdle was finding the right medium to do them justice. He said: "I needed a way to express myself; to put ideas into a tangible form. I also didn't just go in and say: 'I am doing this artwork,' They needed to see I was OK first. It was important to be subtle and show respect because they are so wary of people and their motives.

Through the medium of photo-montage, these images speak to us of betrayal and segregation, community and tradition, spirituality and hope, protest and survival."

Since his first trip, he has been back to every state in the West, covering 15 reservations and particularly loves Montana and Oregon. Tim, who had a photographic exhibition at The Grove two years ago said: "The biggest impression was the incredible wilderness. You get in a car and don't see anyone, just beautiful scenery. I have thought about living there but I am English to the core."

He also loves his job too much. He said: "It's a wonderful community, a fantastic working environment." He does conservation work with the kids and runs the school's photo club. He also runs a native-interest non-profit group called Indigenous Links, a quarterly newsletter and raises awareness for Native American issues and raises funds to help some reservations.

A large part of his heart is back in the States. He added: "I remember sitting at a campsite by a roaring fire with a cayote howling into the night."

Tim exhibition is at the Grove Gallery, 65 The Grove, Ealing until May 1. Open Friday – Sunday, 12 noon – 9.30pm.