A globe with Donald Trump's face on it was the standout piece in 2019's Loughton Young Artist of the Year competition.

Earlier this week Mayor of Loughton Councillor Stephen Murray unveiled an exhibition of the year's entries at the Lopping Hall Gallery.

In their number was the visually arresting work of Clara Rodriquez, a Rodding Valley High School student who impressed the judges her 3D globe.

On the crust of the suspended orb a pucker-lipped Donald Trump can be seen laid over two Guy Fawkes masks, typically used by follows of hacking group Anonymous.

In their notes the judges wrote: “We were impressed and spent a lot of time discussing the meaning behind it.

"We felt it was a very creative and visual response to a very topical theme of poverty and wealth.

"The face of Donald Trump has been displayed in many art forms but it was amusing to see his face painted on a globe and in such detail.

"We were impressed with the quality of painting and the actual construction of the object.

"This piece was a worthy winner because it allows the viewer to question the meaning behind the work which you would do when visiting any gallery."

The competition attracts a large number of entries and is now in its fourth year.

Diane Rhodes, founder and director of the gallery, said: "all our local secondary schools and

college are invited to submit work from their 16-18 years old students

for a one week exhibition each. we look forward to seeing what our

young emerging artists will create – often stimulating discussion and

always interesting. yet again we have seen a high calibre of art this

year andit is always difficult choosing winners because art is very

subjective. however, art enriches not only the artist butall of society.

this is the fourth successive year the gallery, which is run by

volunteers, has staged the loughton young artist of the year

exhibition. all our local secondary schools and college are invited to

submit work from their 16-18 years old students for a one week

exhibition each. three judges from an arts background spend time

looking carefully at all the work before making their final decision.

clara rodriguez received a certificate and prize from the lopping hall

gallery and a wonderful generous donation of art supplies from

hobbycrat of loughton.