Celebrating an iconic illustrator of Wales' greatest stories

Margaret Jones' illustration career began late, but brought a flood of creativity that is inseparably linked to the myths of the Mabinogion, writes Jenny White

- Jenny White

MARGARET Jones' exquisite Mabinogion map of Wales is, for many who grew up in the 1980s, synonymous with Welsh myths and legends, having hung on the walls of many classrooms and homes at the time.

The map was one of Jones' works for the Illustrated Tales of the Mabinogion by Gwyn Thomas and Kevin Crossley-Holland. It was a landmark publication, but sadly, much of her artwork has become difficult to find, despite its treasured place in the imaginations of so many people.

In terms of professional illustration work, Jones was a late starter. Her paid work began in her 50s, almost by accident, after she asked Aberystwyth Arts Centre to host a personal exhibition of her art. This quickly led to commissions.

Her work is enchanting in the true sense of the word: magical, transfixing, conjuring inner worlds and timeless tales inhabited by shapeshifters, bards, magicians and the fey. She found her true home illustrating books such as Robin Gwyndaf's Welsh Folk Tales / Chwedlau Gwerin Cymru (1989), Wolfgang Greller's From the Four Corners of Europe (2000), a collection of European tales and folk legends, and The Elephant-headed God and Other Hindu Tales (1989) by Debjani Chatterjee.

She also wrote and illustrated her own books, including Nat (2004) and Nat and the Box of Gifts (2006).