AN exhibition of work by iconic World War Two artist Ray Howard Jones is being hosted at Art Central, Barry.

Until Saturday, July 5 work by Ray Howard Jones, who died in 1996 aged 93, will be on display at the gallery on King's Square.

The exhibition was officially opened last Friday (June 6) by Vale Mayor Howard Hamilton who was delighted to welcome guests including the Lord Lieutenant Dr Peter Beck, Welsh poet, novelist, editor and literary critic Grahame Davies, a number of Mayors from other authorities, Cardiff and Vale artists and members of the Art Central Friends to commemorate the D-Day landings and to celebrate the work of the artist.

Cllr Hamilton opened the exhibition saying: “Today we are commemorating the 70th anniversary of the D-Day Landings and Ray Howard Jones, an iconic female Second World War artist who lived in Penarth and was unusually as a woman, commissioned by the War Commission to record and paint the troops along our coast line."

Professor Tony Curtis writer, poet and curator of the exhibition spoke highly of the artist, talking about the unique art works she created for the War Commission. He told a few anecdotes and talked of the artist’s extraordinary life saying “She trained in the Slade School of Fine Art London but spent her time living in Penarth. She also loved the Pembrokeshire coastline and lived on and took care of Skomer Island, where she was often seen sat surrounded by butterflies.”

Some of her detailed drawings of nature, landscapes and her amazing portraits can be seen alongside the works from the war years.

Professor Tony Curtis will be talking more about the artist and her work on Saturday June 14 from 2pm to 4pm, entry is free.

The exhibition is open every Monday to Saturday 10am to 4pm.