This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/south_west/7200175.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Mystery artist baffles academics Mystery artist baffles academics
(about 1 hour later)
Experts are hoping museum visitors will help solve a Welsh art mystery that dates back more than 150 years.Experts are hoping museum visitors will help solve a Welsh art mystery that dates back more than 150 years.
Sixty watercolours and drawings set in mid and north Wales, thought to date back to the mid 19th Century, are being shown at Carmarthenshire County Museum. Sixty watercolours and drawings set in mid and north Wales and thought to go back to the mid 19th Century are being shown at Carmarthenshire County Museum.
But the identity of the artist has eluded academics who refer to him or her simply as the "Welsh Primitive".But the identity of the artist has eluded academics who refer to him or her simply as the "Welsh Primitive".
They hope amateur sleuths will use the exhibits as a trigger to go and unearth fresh clues about the mystery artist.They hope amateur sleuths will use the exhibits as a trigger to go and unearth fresh clues about the mystery artist.
Carmarthenshire county museums officer Ann Dorset said: "It would be fun to see the exhibition inspire people to try to track down new details about this wonderful artist.Carmarthenshire county museums officer Ann Dorset said: "It would be fun to see the exhibition inspire people to try to track down new details about this wonderful artist.
"Academic researchers Peter Lord, Paul Joyner and Phil Garratt have all written about the artist's work but we still have no idea who it was. "Academic researchers Peter Lord, Paul Joyner and Phil Garratt have all written about the artist's work, but we still have no idea who it was.
"There are few clues about the artist's life in the works so it's only possible to speculate about the identity of the Welsh Primitive."There are few clues about the artist's life in the works so it's only possible to speculate about the identity of the Welsh Primitive.
Many years research has still not provided a name Phil GarrattMany years research has still not provided a name Phil Garratt
"It's not even possible to know whether the artist was a man or a woman."It's not even possible to know whether the artist was a man or a woman.
"As a rule, we try not to talk about the financial value of a collection and in this case, it wouldn't be that relevant, as this artist is unique.""As a rule, we try not to talk about the financial value of a collection and in this case, it wouldn't be that relevant, as this artist is unique."
She said it was clear the artist was fascinated by the lives of working people and by the Welsh landscape.She said it was clear the artist was fascinated by the lives of working people and by the Welsh landscape.
Titles of the works include locations such as Aberystwyth, Ponterwyd, Devil's Bridge and Llanbadarn.Titles of the works include locations such as Aberystwyth, Ponterwyd, Devil's Bridge and Llanbadarn.
Subjects range from fishermen and rescuers to farm workers at harvest time.Subjects range from fishermen and rescuers to farm workers at harvest time.
They are thought to have been created between 1835 and 1855 and were collected by one of the founders of the museum, George Eyre Evans.They are thought to have been created between 1835 and 1855 and were collected by one of the founders of the museum, George Eyre Evans.
Idiosyncratic styleIdiosyncratic style
Bound in two volumes, one was given to the museum and the other was acquired by The National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth.Bound in two volumes, one was given to the museum and the other was acquired by The National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth.
It is the first time they have been exhibited for 15 years.It is the first time they have been exhibited for 15 years.
Phil Garratt said: "I first came across the Welsh Primitive when I was looking for a subject for postgraduate research. Mr Garratt said: "I first came across the Welsh Primitive when I was looking for a subject for postgraduate research.
"I was immediately struck by the drawings and watercolours which transport the viewer back into everyday life in mid-Wales 150 years ago. "I was immediately struck by the drawings and watercolours which transport the viewer back into everyday life in mid Wales 150 years ago.
"The idiosyncratic style and anonymity of the artist gave me plenty to consider in writing my thesis. However, many years research has still not provided a name."The idiosyncratic style and anonymity of the artist gave me plenty to consider in writing my thesis. However, many years research has still not provided a name.
There could still be other works out there across Wales so if anyone knows of any similar works I'd be delighted to hear from them." "There could still be other works out there across Wales so if anyone knows of any similar works I'd be delighted to hear from them."
The exhibition runs until 1 March and will feature a talk on 27 February by Mr Garratt, a museum cataloguer and lifelong learning tutor at Aberystwyth University.The exhibition runs until 1 March and will feature a talk on 27 February by Mr Garratt, a museum cataloguer and lifelong learning tutor at Aberystwyth University.