THE paint is hardly dry on some of the work which John Uzzell Edwards is showing at Cyfarthfa Castle Museum and Art Gallery, Merthyr Tydfil. 

This one-man show is an exhibition of the latest paintings in his 'Welsh Quilt Series', collections of which have been seen recently at the Cynon Valley Museum and Art Gallery, Aberdare, at the Interceltic Festival in L'Orient, Brittany, for the Year of the Welsh, at the Newport City Art Gallery, and at the Rhondda Heritage Park.

John, who has close links to Tenby, is thrilled to be showing in Merthyr.

He said: "I started painting here in the early '60s when I had a studio above Zanelli's café. It was an exciting time in Merthyr, full of fighters and writers; and I started painting everything around me.

'So why am I now fascinated by Welsh quilts and blankets? As a boy growing up in Deri, I was brought up using them, but only lately I've become amazed by their structure, the variety of materials and the choice of colours. All our social history is here - bits of clothing, silk, tweed, furnishing fabric, workmen's suiting, even grain bags. We have a rich tradition here, and it's a very important part of our Welsh culture."

John moved to Tenby when he worked at the Manorbier Artillery Camp with the well-revered artist Eric Bradforth in 1958, and because he had a small exhibition in Lock House (courtesy of Charles Birt!) in '63, he was awarded the Granada Arts Fellowship at the then new University of York - where he met Mary, now his wife.   

The exhibition in Cyfarthfa runs from February 3 - March 31. For inquiries, telephone 01685 723112. Admission is free.