ARTWORK by teenagers at Caerleon Comprehensive School has been entered into an international art competition.

Twenty pupils from the school have had their artwork submitted to the Saatchi Gallery Schools Art Prize in partnership with the Deutsche Bank.

The 35 pieces of artwork have been submitted from current GCSE students, year 12 and year 13 pupils.

Six former pupils who were all awarded A* in their art A Levels last year have also had their work entered.

Sarah Deasy, art teacher, said: “I am really proud of the pupils – it’s a great competition to encourage contemporary artists and encourage new talent.

“The students are so talented it’s great for people to be able to see their work.

“A lot of the artwork involves the themes of body and ageing.

“I found out about the competition because a pupil from Swansea won last year.”

Sophie Richards, 15, a year 11 pupil, said: “It’s amazing just to be entered, everyone is so talented. My sketch is a self portrait. It took me between 10 to 15 hours to sketch.

“I’m quite proud of it. I really want to pursue fine art in university.”

Erin Jacques, 17, a year 12 pupil, said: “The theme was joined. So I’m doing a series of artwork with the human body and machines to show how reliant we’ve become on technology.

“I’m planning to do a 3D rib cage out of fabric which will have glass lungs.”

Kate Detheridge, 17, a year 13 pupil, said: “The theme was beauty and how no one shows their true face.

“I used the top of a wooden stool, it was quite difficult as it was quite a shiny surface so I had to keep painting layers on top.

“I like the effect of the fading around the edges.”

The shortlist will be announced in February and the finalists will have their work exhibited in the Saatchi Gallery in February 2014.

The winner’s school will receive £10,000 towards their art department and £2,000 to the winning pupil to be spent on art and computer equipment.

Two further runner-up prizes of £5,000 each will be awarded to the second and third placed schools, with a further £1,000 to each of the winning pupils.

To view all the pupils’ art work visit the web site at saatchigallery.com