Later this month, a local woman will vie for £10,000, as she displays her artwork in the prestigious Mall Galleries.

Sandra Vick, from Penicuik, has been shortlisted for the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation’s (DSWF) Wildlife Artist of the Year exhibition, which will be held in London from June 30 to July 4.

Her piece, entitled Sanderlings on the Shoreline, is the manifestation of her fascination with birds. It uses a layering process to abstract the representation of the bird, and alongside the simplified silhouette, it shifts the viewers focus to the negative space. Sandra is no stranger to the art scene, having graduated from Edinburgh College of Art with a MA FineArt in 2009.

Wildlife artist and conservationist, David Shepherd CBE who launched the art competition in 2008 to raise funds and awareness for endangered wildlife, said:

The short-listed entries are once again exceptiona. From the judges’ point of view the drama and technical excellence in all the work was quite breath-taking.

It is the eight year of the competition, at which over 150 short-listed pieces of art are displayed to the public. In addition to the competition, the event also aims to raise funds for endangered animals in Africa and Asia by selling off the artwork.

DSWF CEO, Sally Case said:

We’re bringing together a hugely exciting selection of artists and media for this, our eighth Wildlife Artist of the Year – a hugely important event in our fundraising calendar for endangered wildlife.

The exhibition opens in the Mall Galleries, London SW1, on June 30 and will close on July 4. Public visiting hours are between 10am and 5pm.