Purley painter in running for prestigious art prize

Thousands of artists have been given the brush off in favour of a promising young Purley painter.

At 21 Eloiza Mills is the youngest person shortlisted for the national Threadneedle Figurative Prize.

Some 2,700 artists sent in work, with 71 exhibits being put on display at the Mall Galleries, in London.

Out of those 71, three pieces were painted by Eloiza.

And one of those, a portrait of her friend Hannah Smith, is now on a shortlist of seven favourites chosen by judges.

From next Tuesday a public vote will decide which of the seven exhibits will win the title and a prize of £25,000.

Director of the Mall Galleries Lewis McNaught painted a rosy picture of Eloiza's chances.

He said: "All the judges were just struck dumb by the monumental character of her work.

"She has just finished art college and has managed to get the maximum number of works exhibited.

"No other artist had three pieces displayed."

From the shortlist the panel of judges will also decide the winner of a further £10,000 prize.

However, if the public vote coincides with the judges' choice, the same artist could end up winning £35,000.

The former St Philomena pupil said: "I was shocked to get this far. A lot of the work seems so sophisticated.

"There are so many beautiful pieces so I am up against stiff competition and I hope people in Purley and Croydon will take two minutes to give me their vote."

To vote for Eloiza online visit www.threadneedle figurativeprize.com between August 19 and September 3.