ART lovers will have the chance to view a lifetime’s work of mid-20th century designs stumbled upon by an eager gallery professional.

A Yorkshire Life in Pattern exhibition at the Mercer Art Gallery in Harrogate will display over 100 designs by reclusive artist and textile designer Sheila Bownas.

Art enthusiast Chelsea Cefai found the work in a Yorkshire saleroom in 2008 whilst she was looking for designs to renovate her home.

Paintings from the archive collection and material loaned from Shelia’s family and friends will be on display, as well as eight previously unseen pieces bought by a private collector.

The exhibition also includes a contemporary display showcasing wallpaper, furniture, textiles and ceramics featuring Sheila’s designs, which Chelsea has developed with UK artisans.

She said: “My initial impulse to buy the designs was to rescue the collection and to ensure it stayed together rather than it being sold off separately.

“I could tell I had found something special and my instinct told me there was a story behind the pieces that could easily have been lost forever.”

Chelsea began her research at the auction house in Yorkshire where she bought the pieces and made contact with the family to learn more about her.

Sheila attended The Slade, London’s prestigious art school, and won numerous prizes for her work.

She was as a freelance designer before settling in the Dales, where she continued painting until her death in 2007.

The exhibition will be on display from September 9, 2017 until January 7, 2018.

Entry to the gallery is free. For more information visit www.sheilabownas.co.uk