AN ASPIRING artist is hoping her latest piece inspires job seekers to find their dream careers.

Painter and illustrator Bridie Gibbs, from Woodley, has won first prize in an art competition organised by Wokingham Library.

The 19-year-old former Waingels College student submitted her plan to design a 3D piece of artwork — as yet untitled — which would depict a fountain of red, yellow and orange poppies bursting out of a suitcase.

The competition for 16- to 24-year-olds was organised to find a piece of art to grace Wokingham Library’s new employment hub, Elevate.

Bridie was awarded a £500 cash prize after coming top, and she is now in the middle of the project. She said: “I was so happy just getting to the final four. Actually winning gave me such a sense of pride — I’m really loving creating the piece.

“I’ve recently finished an art foundation course at Reading College and being a young artist, it is really challenging trying to break into the creative industries, so opportunities

that arise like this are really helpful.

“I love to see that the council is trying to encourage new artists and artwork.

“My artwork uses colours which psychologically motivate people; I thought this was important as the piece will be displayed in a job-seeking environment.”

The “poppies” will be made from tin foil and tissue paper, finished with acrylic paint and nail varnish. Bridie’s work will be on display at the library, in Denmark street, from early April.