NORMAN CORNISH is being honoured across the region as part of a year-long celebration of his life and work.

An exhibition of work by County Durham's most famous artist will go on show at Greenfield Arts, in Newton Aycliffe, as part of the Norman Cornish Centenary celebrations.

A spokesperson for Greenfield Arts said: “Greenfield Arts are thrilled to host this exhibition which chronicles the journey of Norman Cornish and the great determination and resilience he showed to become a professional artist.

“The exhibition highlights key moments of his career and showcases work that was produced when materials or conditions were not always optimal.”

The artist’s family, in collaboration with galleries across the North-East, have created several exhibitions and events to take place throughout 2019 that focus on his life and work and how he captured beauty in the everyday.

Mr Cornish was born in November 1919 in Spennymoor. At the age of 14, he left school and began work as a coal miner.

From a very young age, he had always been passionate about drawing and painting and he soon became aware of the sketching club at the Spennymoor Settlement.

Mr Cornish was accepted as a member at the age of 15, giving him the opportunity to meet other like-minded artists.

Alongside the exhibition events, Greenfield Arts will present an illustrated talk by Mr Cornish’s son-in-law Mike Thornton, primary school workshops with daughter-in-law Dorothy Cornish, an artist in residence programme, a visual arts project and sketchbook workshops inspired by his work.

The celebrations hope to offer the opportunity and privilege to celebrate the artist’s life and work and features personal quotes from Mr Cornish and an interesting narrative that highlights key moments of his career.

One of the quotes by the artist which is incorporated in the works reads: “Many of the ordinary but fascinating people who frequented these places are gone. However, in my memory, and I hope in my drawings, they live on.

“I simply close my eyes and they all spring to life.”

The programme will see six exhibitions throughout 2019 which aim to give visitors the chance to see previously unseen works, learn fresh insights and enjoy a major retrospective of Norman Cornish’s art at venues across the county including The Bob Abley Gallery in Spennymoor Town Hall, the Mining Art Gallery, and The Bowes Museum.

Greenfield Arts will host the Norman Cornish: A Man of Destiny exhibition from Thursday, October 10 to Wednesday, December 11.

To find other exhibitions taking place throughout the year as part of the Norman Cornish Centenary celebrations visit normancornish.com/centenary