AN ARTIST is preparing an exhibition of paintings that capture the former Abergavenny Livestock Market.

Jantien Powell will unveil her work at a private viewing at her studio and gallery at Chapel Cottage, Llandewi Rhydderch, on May 23 before going on public view from May 24-26 as part of the Crickhowell Open Studio’s and Galleries Event.

Ms Powell’s latest exhibition – Abergavenny Cattle Market, A Retrospective – took two years to create and captures a last glimpse of the livestock market which closed last year.

She said: “I’ve been painting the cattle market for the last 15 years, but when I heard it was going to be closed, I decided to focus on capturing its last years of trading – perhaps the last glimpse of Abergavenny as a market town.”

“As a farmer’s daughter I feel a great affinity with the people of the cattle market. I am drawn to their faces, their uniform of wellies, jackets and caps, I feel like I know what they’re talking about – the whole place feels familiar to me – it reminds me of my Dad.”

“I want to capture the feeling of the market in my paintings, the history, the coming together, the community of it all.”

In this collection Ms Powell frequently uses collage materials throughout the paintings such as snippets of

newspapers, articles about the market, farmers weekly, old photographs, even parts of the sales reports.

Call 01873 840282 or see www.chapelcottagestudio.co.uk for further details.