Art exhibition is a Christmas wish come true

FORGOTTEN paintings found by chance are now on display as part of the first exhibition at a new Artists' Hub.

- By Georgia Cuthbertson

Richard Scott, an inpatient at St Oswald's Hospice in Gosforth, created the 13 watercolours over a decade ago. He was delighted to be invited to open the venue in Bishop Auckland that hosts them.

Hidden in his Longbenton bungalow, the works are inspired by Francisco de Zurbaran's 17th century piece Jacob and his Twelve Sons.

The paintings came to light thanks to a conversation between Richard's social worker Marisa Woodward and his sister Sue Coxon.

Richard, who is known as Dick, was inspired after reading about the artworks being saved by The Auckland Project in 2012 by Jonathan and Jane Ruffer. They placed the paintings and Auckland Palace in a charitable Trust for the benefit of the people of North East England.