It was a celebration of the life of artist Maggy Troughear and the creative energy she passed on to her daughter, Barbara Crowden, and her granddaughter, Polly Crowden.

Maggy's work was portraits of her family, hr daughter, sons and grandchildren.

Barbara's work draws on inspiration from her paternal grandmother, also named Polly, incorporating mosaics into embedded cotton paper wall works, based on old fashioned picture frames and featuring images of flowers from her mother Maggy's garden.

Polly has been experimenting with black and white photography and her work features portraits of her friends, and incorporates hand-tinted flowers from her mothe's garden.

The exhibition was officially opened by Newcastle artist, Jeanne Harrison, who said she had met Maggy at a painting workshop and they had become lifelong friends.

"Maggy's love for her family shows in her work," she said.

"It is a tribute to Barbara that she has encouraged her mother to do this and bringing the three generations of the family together."

Barbara said it was not often one could have an exhibition with one's mother and daughter and she thanked everyone who had helped with Three of a Kind.

Maggy said all her children had artistic leanings and she was so pleased to be part of the exhibition.

The opening was attended by all Maggy's children, the first time they had been together in 15 years.

Her son Tony also launched her book, "Every Girl Needs a Shed", at the exhibition.

The three artists will also be at the Spiral Gallery on Mother's Day, May 8, between 11am and 2pm.