IN a new documentary on S4C on Wednesday, June 24, Ffion Hague takes viewers on a journey to Dieppe in France to follow the preparations to unveil a memorial for Gwen John, the renowned artist from Pembrokeshire.

The artist's final resting place was re-discovered after extensive research for S4C's documentary series Mamwlad gyda Ffion Hague last year.

The unveiling of this memorial to recognise her contribution to art is a significant milestone in the history of Welsh culture. In the documentary, a number of art experts tell about the importance of this historic event.

Ffion Hague, presenter and executive producer of Mamwlad, said: "A huge effort has been made to ensure a fitting tribute for an artist of international status in the country she called home for so long. From the moment the Mamwlad team found her burial place in Dieppe, we were all determined to ensure that this place would be officially marked as Gwen John's final resting place. It was a privilege for me to be there filming for S4C and it was an unforgettable occasion."

Born in Haverfordwest in 1876, Gwen and her family moved to Tenby following the death of her mother. Gwen followed her brother Augustus to London to study at the Slade School of Fine Art before moving to Paris, where she found herself caught up in a passionate and all-consuming love affair with the world-famous sculptor, Rodin.

Gwen John passed away in September 1939 at the age of 63 and for many years nobody knew where exactly the artist had been buried.

In the programme, Ffion Hague discovers Gwen John's death certificate and visits the hospital where she died. We hear what Dieppe was like back in 1939 and watch the emotional moment the monument is unveiled, with Gwen's nieces present.

The slate, commissioned by production company Tinopolis and S4C, denotes the birth place and death of Gwen in French. In Welsh, the words 'People are like shadows to me and like a shadow I am to them', which is a translation of a sentence Gwen wrote in one of her letters to a family member.

Producer Llinos Wynne added: "At last, a place has been designated to remember Gwen John in the country where she created her masterpieces and we hope that this will lead to a renewed interest in her life and work."

Gwen John: Y Daith Olaf, Wednesday, June 24, 8.30 pm, S4C. Also, June 25, 6 pm, S4C.English subtitles