City buys Frank artwork

The eight pieces were acquired by Glasgow Life on the city's behalf for an undisclosed sum with help from the national fund for acquisitions.

The collection will be housed at the Glasgow museum resource centre, available to view by appointment.

It comprises two black and white drawings, I sought him but I found him not, and Wrap thy form in a mantle grey, and a set of six mounted woodcuts.

All were purchased from the late artist's niece, Fiona Frank (55) who lives in Lancaster, and describes the acquisition as "a total representation of Hannah's life's work and I think they've made a good choice".

She told The Extra: "What's fantastic is that it's opening up my aunt's work to more people.

"Hannah will never die as an artist now, which is very exciting".

She added: "My ideal would be that other galleries want to have examples of her work. That's where I think she'd like to be – in public collections across Scotland".

The work of Hannah Frank, who died aged 100 two years ago, was first celebrated at Glasgow university where she wrote for and illustrated GUM magazine under the name Al Aaraaf – a reference to Edgar Allan Poe's work.

While working as a teacher she attended evening classes at Glasgow school of art before making her name as an artist and sculptor.

Mrs Frank had been raised in the Gorbals and attended Albert Road academy in Strathbungo.

Her last years were spent in Newton Mearns care home West Acres, where some of her work is still on display.

Fiona is running a poetry competition inspired by the artist's work, for which the awards presentation will coincide with a temporary Hannah Frank exhibit at Kelvingrove art gallery and museum in August.

Fiona explained: "I got the idea at her centenary exhibition, on her birthday two years ago, when the Glasgow Mirrorball poets network presented Hannah with a poem".