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Video of Sarah Robson
talking about the exhibition

by Tom Sheldrick

A retrospective exhibition of work by much-loved TV artist Tony
Hart opened today in Maidstone, his home town.

The collection, displayed at the Graham Clarke Gallery in
Hazlitt Arts Centre, was hand-picked by his daughter Carolyn
Williams and she will officially unveil it on Wednesday.

Among the works on show are illustrations from the BBC
children's TV shows that made Hart a household name, as well as
several personal artworks, such as a portrait of his wife Joan.

Many of the pieces will be auctioned, some expected to raise up
to £1,000 each. Profits will go to the Gurkha Welfare Trust.

Tony Hart was born in Maidstone in 1925 and embarked on his
artistic career at the town's art college.

He then served with the First Gurkha Rifles during the Second
World War before winning the affection of generations of children
in a TV career that spanned nearly 50 years.

He died last year at the age of 83.

Sarah Robson, Arts Development Manager at Maidstone Borough
Council, said: "It is a fantastic opportunity to show such a
national artist's work within Maidstone. I hope it gets lots of
children getting out their drawing pencils and their paints."