A NEWPORT born artist has had a painting selected for a prestigious Barcelona art exhibition.

Jamie Routley, 23, trumped 2,459 applicants to have his work displayed at the Figurativas 15 at the European Museum of Modern Art, Barcelona.

The painting “The world pulse beats beyond my door” was awarded an honourable mention prize and will be displayed when the exhibition opens on Friday, November 20.

Mr Routley was educated in Welsh language school Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw and completed a BTEC in art and design at Cross Keys college and a illustration degree at Swindon college.

He left the UK in 2004 to study under American painter Charles H.Cecil in Florence, Italy and is now based in London.

His award winning painting is of his sister-in-law Niamh Crawford and explores “subjective experiences of architectural spaces.”

He said: “When we started the painting, Niamh was an intern working in a London fashion house but now at twenty-two she has recently graduated.

“When so many doors are closed, there is one that is just barely ajar. We have only to give it a very slight push and our fate becomes visible.”

Jamie has presented work in shows and galleries including the BP Portrait Award, The Royal Society of Portrait Painters and Fine Art Commissions.

His work hangs in corporate and private collections in the UK, Europe, America, Middle East and Australia.

For more information visit: www.jamieroutley.com