"Glory in human chaos": Stephen Walter's maps of London go on show at Fenton House

Exhibition: Stephen Walter – The Island: London Series, Fenton House, London, until October 30 2011

"My maps revel in the intricacy of life," says Stephen Walter. "My epithets to places are intrinsically tied into the stories and experiences of the people who inhabit them and their collective knowledge.

"Life is fascinating. People are fascinating. How this mixes with the geography of this world is even more interesting and endless.

"The maps glory in the human chaos and are a celebration of the concept of place. And the sheer intricacy of it all."

In Walter's world, every one of his minutely detailed drawings of London (The Island, as he sees it) tells a story.

For this show, they've taken on suitably idiosyncratic surroundings in the 17th century Fenton House in Hampstead, marking both the first contemporary display to be held there and the Affordable Art Fair's switch to the area.

Owners the National Trust are running special ticket offers throughout the exhibition, agreed in partnership with the Fair.

"It seemed like the perfect moment to bring Stephen Walter's quirky, beautiful and personal views of London into Fenton House," says House and Gardens Manager Joseph Watson, who also oversaw the opening of a rooftop balcony boasting panoramic views of the city at his venue earlier this year.

"It adds another collection to Fenton – a celebrated collection of collections in the heart of historic Hampstead."

Chloe Nelkin, the organiser of the show, is such a fan of Walter's craft that she keeps his vision of her Barnet locality on her wall, occasionally inspecting it with the use of an ancient magnifier.

"It means I can take a closer look," she explains, calling the maps "witty and wonderful".

"People always get lost in his drawn worlds. They enjoy studying the maps and spotting their own roads and houses as well as their favourite London landmarks. Having them on display at Fenton is really exciting."

• Open 11am-5pm Wednesday-Sunday. Admission £6.50/£3 (family ticket £16), joint tickets and offers for Affordable Art Fair ticket holders available. The Fair runs at Battersea Park, October 20-23, and Hampstead Heath, October 27-30. Visit www.affordableartfair.co.uk for all the details.

More pictures from the show: