Self portrait selected from hundreds of entries

Artist Ania Monika Trojanowska Hobson (Image: Archant)

Suffolk artist Ania Monika Trojanowska Hobson has had one of her works - a self portrait - selected from hundreds that were submitted for the BP Portrait Awards exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery in London.

And when she visited the exhibition, which opened to the public today, she found in addition to the honour of being chosen, her portrait features on the poster advertising the exhibition as well.

Professional artis Ania grew up on a small-holding at Rendham near Saxmundham, and attended Thomas Mills High School, Framlingham, and studied art and portraiture in London and Florence, as well as being a graduate from the University of Suffolk, where she graduated in 2011.

Ania,27, is now based at the Asylum Studios at Rendlesham, alongside other artists.

She said: “I am very happy. I am really pleased and proud.

“It is a great honour to be accepted for the National Portrait Gallery.

“When I came down for the private view, I found my painting was on the poster on the railings outside. It was such a surprise.

“It is great being in the National Portrait Gallery.

“Hard work pays off.

“I do get quite a lot of commissions, fortunately.

“This is what I want to do with the rest of my life.”

Her portrait will be seen by thousands of visitors to the gallery over the summer weeks.

The BP Portrait Awards are a major international event, attracting entries from arond the world.

Just 53 portraits have chosen this time, and only 24 of them are from the UK.

The judges started with an initial entry submission of 2,580 pieces from artists n 87 countries.

The exhibition is on display through until September 24, and it then goes on tour to other venues including Exeter and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh.

Ania already has paintings hanging in Italy, Holland, Germany, Canada and the USA.

www.aniahobson.com