A KEIGHLEY artist has become a finalist in a national competition at the Royal College of Art in London.

Ben Snowden was invited to the preview night of the National Open Art 2015 exhibition after being shortlisted in its competition.

The Bradford College BTEC art foundation graduate mingled with guests including the artist Gavin Turk and actor Michael Fielding, who played Naboo in TV comedy series The Mighty Boosh.

Ben recently received an award at the Platform Open Annual Art Competition at Morphets of Harrogate, and was shortlisted for the 2015 summer exhibition at the Royal Academy of Art.

Ben said his work explored the relationship between figuration and expressionism, challenging literal understanding with unconscious feeling.

Inspired by the human form, he combines drawing and painting to create bold expressive works that strip away the visual distractions of form with deliberate characterisation and colour.

Ben said: “Through the almost unformed nature of the figures an emotional pathway is carved, inviting the viewer to engage in these private worlds of love, desire and isolation that stretch beyond the restraints of the picture plane.

He hopes to create an ‘emotional pathway’ to engage the viewer in private worlds of love, desire and isolation.

Ben said: “To be an artist takes hard work, graft and a lifetime commitment to never giving up!

"I strive to create work that challenges everything I know about painting, by working hard to create something that hasn’t been seen before.”

Over the years Ben has exhibited work alongside artists such as Maurice Cockrill, Andrew ‘Mackie’ McIntosh, Frank Auerbach, Mandy Payne, Terry Frost, Zoran Music, Andrew Salgado and Joan Miro.

Visit bensnowdenartist.com to see examples of Ben’s work.