91Èȱ¬

A major retrospective of the work of Clive Hicks-Jenkins will open at the this weekend in celebration of the artist's 60th birthday, with some 200 pieces of his work going on show.

Hicks-Jenkins was born in Newport in south Wales in 1951. He studied dance at Rambert in London and theatre studies at the Italia Conti School, becoming a successful dancer and actor, and later choreographer, director and stage designer - creating productions with leading companies including the Almeida Theatre, the Vienna Festival, Theatr Clwyd and Cardiff New Theatre.

He has been painting full time since the 1990s - his first solo show took place in 1996 - and his work is recognised for its emotion and its humanity, attracting an enthusiastic following from fellow artists, poets and writers in Britain and the USA.

The exhibition, which will fill the Gregynog Gallery at the National Library as well as the adjoining gallery, coincides with the publication of a book that also celebrates his 60th birthday.

Hicks-Jenkins is an honorary fellow of Aberystwyth University, is a Royal Cambrian Academician and is also a member of the .

The Virgin of Goldfinches (2009) by Clive Hicks-Jenkins

The retrospective, which includes loans from private and public collections, opens this Saturday, 7 May, and runs until Saturday 20 August. Clive Hicks-Jenkins will also give a gallery talk at the National Library on Monday 25 July.

Discover more about the artist on his website , and visit the for more information on this and other exhibitions.

Clive Hicks Jenkins with Nicola Heywood Thomas

Plus, tune in to 91Èȱ¬ Radio Wales on Wednesday 11 May at 7pm for the next episode of the Radio Wales Arts Show, in which presenter Nicola Heywood Thomas speaks to Clive Hicks-Jenkins about his work and the exhibition.