NEWPORT’S Barnabas Art House is set to open the biggest landmark art exhibition ever held at the independent venue.

The work of prolific South Wales painter John Goddard will be displayed until July 24, with curator Janet Martin describing this as an “honour”, with the “prestigious” work a “landmark show” for Newport.

Mr Goddard painted every single day of his adult life up until his death in 2008, with Ms Martin saying: “Much of his back catalogue consists of Welsh landscapes and local landmarks, always managing to offer a newlydiscovered angle in his distinct interpretations.”

She said the “powerful solo show” will be displayed over the art house’s three floors, with the aim of selling all his unsold works.

The works mainly depict typical scenes of south Wales, like rows of Valleys housing, depicted by the son of a farmer from Rhiwbina, Cardiff.

Born in 1924, he had already started painting when he was called up to the Royal Engineers in 1942, aged 18. He said he was so desperate to paint when serving in the Second World War, that he used his army kit bag.

The exhibition will consist of all of Mr Goddard’s unsold works through his son Jamie, who has decided to honour his achievements by exhibiting.