AN art student has been shortlisted in to one of the countries most prestigious art awards.

Talented artist and Yarm School Lower Sixth Form student Mia Mack, 17, has been shortlisted for one of the prestigious Holt Festival Art prizes.

Miss Mack, who is studying A Level Art, submitted her oil painting ‘New Shoes’ for the Sworders Art prize for young talent aged 16 – 18.

Shortlisted works for the two Sworders Art prizes are also entered in the Sir John Hurt Art Prize.

Miss Mack explained the concept behind her entry: “Inspired during lockdown by how much music can change how you feel, I created this piece to capture my usual reaction to hearing the song ‘New Shoes’ by Paolo Nutini – dancing.

"Given the subject of the song, I thought my favourite shoes should take centre stage and be in a musical environment, hence the drum-kit that lives in the garage where I took my reference photographs.

"I closely relate music with art and am fascinated by the impact that both can have on a person in a small space of time.

"It took approximately 50 hours to complete in oils.”

Miss Mack also recently came second in the international, 2021 New College of the Humanities essay competition.

Her entry for the Art History category was entitled – Should the West return cultural artefacts to their former colonial territories?

She won £500 as runner up in the competition.