New exhibition by late artist inspires

'I would like to see him properly discovered for the talent that he was.'

MEMORIES: Marjie Spies at the opening of her late husband John's exhibition at the Wondai Regional Art Gallery. Picture: Claudia Williams

FOR the first time in 25 years Marjie Spies has the opportunity to see pieces of art by her late husband, John, hung in a new exhibition at the Wondai Regional Art Gallery.

"They haven't been on display for about 10 years and he passed away about 12 years ago and it is pretty amazing to see all of his work,” she said.

"I am excited for other people to see them and now it is making me excited for future things in other places as well.”

Yellow-bellied Glider is one of the pieces Marjie hadn't seen in 25 years and holds great memories that serve as a reminder for her of the man that John was.

When his three-year-old grand daughter, who is 30 this year, wanted to paint with poppy when he was working on this piece he handed over his brush.

"He gave her a paint brush, and he had this animal nearly finished, and she went scrawling all down the side and I thought 'what is he doing?'” Mrajie said.

"To me there is a sentimentality there and a story that I will remember and seeing the work.”

The exhibition in Wondai includes pieces that Marjie refers to as John's best work.

"You can see where his masterpieces are and where his health has got affected so his talent deteriorated,” she said.

"I think if you were to hang his art in chronological order you would see the deterioration, like Van Gogh's museum, it would be the same.”

While John has passed Marjie is pleased the exhibition gives art lovers the opportunity to appreciate his work.

"I think he is undiscovered,” she said.

"I would like to see him properly discovered for the talent that he was.”