'Welsh Lowry' paintings on show

In pictures: The Welsh Lowry

An exhibition of paintings by the late Swansea artist Jack Jones - often referred to as the "Welsh Lowry" - opens in the city at the weekend.

Actors Sir Anthony Hopkins and Hywel Bennett are among celebrity collectors of his work.

Many of the pieces at the Attic Gallery have never been seen in public before.

Raised in The Hafod in the 1920s, Jones became a homeless alcoholic following an academic career, but recovered and resumed painting before dying in 1993.

Fifty-five oil and water colour paintings and sketches will be on show at the exhibition which opens on Saturday.

He influenced artists and painters well beyond Swansea David Roe, Attic Gallery

His oil paintings - which mainly depict the Swansea of his youth - can fetch up to £3,000.

David Roe of the Attic Gallery said: "He was not just a Swansea artist. His work was shown in some of the leading London galleries and he influenced artists and painters well beyond Swansea."

Born in the Hafod area of Swansea in 1922, he was raised by his grandmother.

During World War II he served with the RAF before studying at universities in Wales and France.

He was a teacher before becoming a full-time artist in the mid 1970s.

"Alcoholism intervened which saw him a homeless alcoholic and this was followed by serious illness," added Mr Roe.

"For the last seven years of his life he recovered, finding strength through the Roman Catholic Church and was able to return to his painting."

The exhibition, which is being opened by Lord Anderson of Swansea, runs from 17 March to 7 April.