A fine art student from Middlesex University has been shortlisted from more than 3,000 entries to exhibit in the influential Jerwood Drawing Prize, the UK’s largest and longest-running annual open exhibition for drawing.

Nanako Kawaguchi’s work impressed the panel of industry judges in the competition set up to explore and celebrate excellence, diversity and range of current drawing practice in the UK.

“I’m pleased to have my work in such an important show,“ says the 35-year-old from Hendon.

“I’ve wanted to take part in the exhibition since visiting it in previous years, and think it will be a good opportunity for me as an artist.“ Nanako uses camouflage as the subject of her drawings.

Her colourful work portrays a girl’s face overlaid with fairytale-like images of waterfalls, flowers and woodland.

Middlesex University professor of fine art Sonia Boyce says: “Nanako is very dedicated to her art practice. Her works are both beautifully crafted and eccentric.“

The talented artist has had her own solo shows in Japan and taken part in numerous group exhibitions abroad. Nanako will see her beautiful piece exhibited at the Jerwood Space in central London until October 27. The exhibition, made up of shortlisted artists’ work, will then tour around the UK until April 2014.