An art student from Oxford Brookes University has wowed the public in an online gallery showcasing up and coming young artists' work.
Chandni Challa, 24, who is studying contemporary arts, won the public's vote to come top in a competition at www.artgrad.net. Over 100 artists from around the world are featured on the site, but just three were shortlisted for the prize and after two months of public voting, Chandni Challa’s work proved to be the clear winner.
She said: “I’m delighted to have won this competition. It’s reassuring to know that site visitors have enjoyed my work and felt moved enough to vote for it. Artgrad.net is a great concept and it’s really helped to give me the profile I need and I’m sure, will help many more like me in the future.”
The website provides a free marketplace for art graduates to exhibit and sell their artwork in a professional environment, teaming with buyers, collectors and enthusiasts - all searching for contemporary art from emerging artists. Challa will be showing her work, titled Love, at the Meller Merceux Gallery in Oxford High Street later this month as part of the In With Between festival.
She said: “It’s going to be about expressions of how people feel and show love.”
The exhibition runs from Thursday, September 29 until Thursday, October 6. Her prize was to be introduced to international artist Graham Short who gave her an insight into being a professional artist and to receive some hints and tips on how to market her work more effectively.
Website spokesperson Maria Potempski said: “All the work you see on this site is done by people that have studied art or design at an educational establishment. They are all professionals in various stages of their career development. We are pleased that Chandni Challa has won, she has fantastic talent and I’m sure she will be a great success in the future.”
To see Chandni's work, visit www.artgrad.net/artist/ChandniChalla
