A COLLECTION of unseen work by late Gourock artist George Wyllie will be revealed at a major new exhibition in Greenock later this month.

An array of hidden treasures by the Paper Boat artist, who lived in Inverclyde for over 50 years, will go on display at the Beacon on Saturday 28 June for three weeks.

The show — ‘Why is there a ? in Scul?ture’ — will be the first public event held by The George Wyllie Foundation and will feature work from the iconic artist’s archive.

George Wyllie, above, died two years ago aged 90, but his memory continues to live on through his striking artwork and now people in Inverclyde will get a first-look at his hidden catalogue of creations.

His eldest daughter, Louise Wyllie, said: “We’re delighted to be putting on this exhibition of work on my father’s home turf.

“This show will focus on enduring themes found in his art and will consider why a question mark should be at the centre of everything.” The George Wyllie Foundation was established last year by the artist’s family and friends, including Louise and her artist son, Calvin Gomes, film-maker Murray Grigor, the founder of Edinburgh arts venue Summerhall, Robert McDowell, and influential artist and teacher David Harding.

As well as arranging the exhibition, the organisation is looking for a permanent base where trustees can archive Wyllie’s work and store it — and they are keen for it to be close to his former Gourock home.

Louise said: “The preferred option of the foundation would be to make its home on the banks of the River Clyde.

“It inspired my father constantly during the course of a long and creative life.

“We are currently investigating various possibilities but it’s not something which will happen overnight.” The exhibition announcement coincides with a recent clean-up of the large question marks dotted along the shoreline from Port Glasgow to Langbank.

They were created by Greenock-born artist Alec Galloway in tribute to Wyllie following his death in 2012.

Alec said: “I made the question marks two years ago with former shipyard workers, community groups and school pupils from Inverclyde, as part of the Whysman Festival, which celebrated George’s life and work.

“George always said there were never any guarantees, just questions, and I could hear his voice in my head as I was making them.

“People seem to love the way they appear and disappear in the tidal flow.”