CHELMSFORD: Teenager Hiba Khan's art is hung in the Saatchi gallery

By nicola taylor newsdesk@essexchronicle.co.uk

THIS peace-inspiring painting depicting an unlikely friendship between British National Party leader Nick Griffin and a Muslim man has won a prestigious national art award for a talented teenage artist.

The painting by 17-year-old Hiba Khan will now be exhibited at one of the UK's most celebrated art venues, the Saatchi Gallery in London.

The Chelmsford County High School for Girls pupil was one of 11 top artists from 1,700 entries in the Young Brits at Art Awards 2010.

The competition challenged students to "imagine a world without prejudice."

Hiba's painting "The Creation of ?" was inspired by Michelangelo's Creation of Adam and depicted BNP leader Nick Griffin reaching out to a Muslim man.

She said: "They have been depicted reaching out to each other, suggesting a friendship or relationship.

"Conversely it could be seen as a Taliban and BNP leader, both extremes coming together in the middle.

"I felt it necessary to paint this with the tensions building between communities, also trying to decide what being British means, a question constantly being asked today.

"My father was brought up in Bradford with family from the Northwest frontiers in Pakistan and my mother was brought up in Essex with family in Punjab, Pakistan.

"I have known only that I'm a British Muslim, meaning I must respect all people."

Hiba attended the awards ceremony at London's Southbank Centre hosted by MTV presenter Sarah-Jane Crawford, where she received a framed copy of her award-winning art work and a wooden chest filled with art materials,

Meanwhile fellow CCSHG student Charlotte Bush, 17, from Chelmsford, has been shortlisted by the Royal Academy of Arts for their online A-level summer exhibition, for her portrait picture of history teacher Dr Palmer.

The exhibition can be viewed online until August 22.

Maxine Saunders, Head of Art at Chelmsford County High School, said: "This is a wonderful achievement and recognition of Charlotte and Hiba's outstanding ability in art.

"These exhibitions provide an excellent opportunity for young students like Charlotte and Hiba to showcase their work and demonstrate the sophisticated knowledge and understanding they have of contemporary practice in art.

"We are extremely proud of them both."