Kentish Express - 12 February 2004 - Pair Beat International Competitors

Two Ashford artists exhibiting in the town centre will have their work on display in London's Cork Street, hallowed ground in the UK art world.

Liz Garnett and Vikky Furse, members of the Ashford Visual Artists group have both been selected for the exhibition.

Only 150 works were shortlisted and 100 finally exhibited from an entry of more than 800.

Vikky said: "We are very excited to be in the exhibition. There are so many good artists in our borough and so few places to show.

"Local artists need more spaces to exhibit so that they can develop their marketing for London."

The London art world is notoriosly difficult to get into and this exhibition was open to international artists.

The London Art Company chose the theme The Art of Love for the season of St Valentine, and have selected artists work from as far afield as India, Russia, Poland, Italy and America as well as the UK.

Both artists have their work pictured in the catalogue.

Vikky said: "I could hardly bear to look in the catalogue, as I guessed not everyone exhibiting would be represented.

"When I was in Hungary on an international artists workshop, the artists from other countries had glossy catalogues.

"There is a lot more support for art and culture in the rest of Europe.

"We are like a poor relation, and yet we are flush with talent in the UK.

"We need an art centre in Ashford to encourage visitors, we have loads to offer."