KENTMERE House Gallery in York had intended to devote much of this year’s exhibition programme to Jack Hellewell, as this would have been his centenary year.

Ever since gallery owner Ann Petherick saw his work in a gallery in Ilkley 25 years ago, he has been one of the gallery’s most loved and respected artists.

Jack lived for his painting, describing himself as “a fanatical painter” and spending all day and every day painting, especially after his wife died. Towards the end of his life, his daughter said the only way she knew he was really ill was when he stopped painting. He loved it when he sold work but hated having to be involved with the selling and, as a result, most of the work in this exhibition will never have been seen before outside his studio.

His attic flat overlooking Ilkley Moor was always neatly stacked with canvasses and work on paper. Initially, he would say “I haven’t done much” and then the paintings would start to appear, astounding in their quality and consistency, and always singing with colour.

He was the gentlest, quietest and most modest of men, and had a delightful sense of humour, which also appears in his paintings, such as in Springtime.

Following his death in 2000, Kentmere House Gallery was appointed to manage Jack’s artistic estate, and exhibitions have been held in Ilkley, Leeds, Stoke on Trent, Bristol, London and Vienna. There were planned to be several more in 2020, although some may now have to be deferred to 2021 due to coronavirus.

Gallery owner Anne Petherick said: "There will be a rolling exhibition of his work at Kentmere House from the date of re-opening, including works on paper and on canvas, with prices from £500 to £1,500."

For more information about the gallery, see www.kentmerehouse.co.uk.