ARTWORKS never before shown to the public, as well as pieces dating back to when she was just 15 years old, reveal stories from an eventful life and an enduring career in the new exhibition, Margaret Olley: from the collection, now open at the Tween Regional Gallery, Margaret Olley Centre.

Gallery director Susi Muddiman said: "The works illustrate stylistic evolutions in Olley's practice and reveal glimpses of some of the many places she travelled to, and some of the places she called home."

The majority of the artworks, gifted by the Margaret Olley Estate, remained in Olley's own collection from the time they were created until her death in 2011.

"Visitors will have the opportunity to see works that Olley kept in her own collection for many decades," Ms Muddiman said.

"These were works that had sentimental value to her and that have become story holders for the events of her life.

Works such as Kewpie Doll 1938 and The Lands Office, Sydney (cnr Bent and Loftus) 1967 have never before been on public display."

The collection includes works gifted by the Margaret Olley Estate, following the artist's bequest of $1 million towards the development of the re-creation of her home studio within the Margaret Olley Art Centre - the third and final stage of the Tweed Regional Gallery.

Other artworks in this exhibition have been acquired into the Gallery's collection via the financial support of the Tweed Regional Gallery Foundation Ltd, the Friends of Tweed Regional Gallery and Margaret Olley Art Centre Inc, the Tweed Regional Gallery Donations Fund and as gifts to the collection by generous donors.

NEW EXHIBITION

* Margaret Olley: from the collection

* Open until May 2017, Wednesday to Sunday from 10am until 5pm.

* Tweed Regional Gallery, Margaret Olley Art Centre, Murwillumbah

* Visit artgallery.tweed.nsw.gov.au