AN ARTIST has won a competition to have his work displayed in the National Gallery in London.

Alex Daw, of Applecross Drive, in Burnley, will be having a double celebration tomorrow (Thursday) as he turns 25 and his winning painting is hung at the Trafalgar Square gallery along with countless masterpieces.

The 24-year-old won a competition for the Blue Sky Day: Be Inspired' competition, sponsored by Expedia - despite rebelling against the competition rules.

Everyone was provided with a piece of canvas featuring the Expedia logo - but Alex, who was amongst 200 artists invited to paint at the gallery, decided to turn the canvas around and paint on the back.

But he was still one of the three artists chosen to have their work displayed by the judges.

The former Burnley college student, who is currently finishing the second year of a Fine Arts degree at the University of Central Lancashire, said: "I was happy to be chosen but I was also confused mainly because it was an Expedia publicity event and I am opposed to that.

"Everyone had to have a blue canvas with a cloud, which is the Expedia logo, on it so I turned the canvas around and used that.

"They were not very happy with it initially but they let me use it.

"The art should be my own work and it should not be defined by someone else."

Alex's painting, which was done in three hours, was of a boat. This was in keeping with the guidelines which stated the painting should be inspired by work in National Gallery or travel.

The student, who is currently on an internship at an art gallery in London, said the painting was inspired by the Turner-Calais Pier in The National and his main influences were Francis Bacon, Turner and Damien Hirst.

He said: "I am currently on an internship in London helping organise exhibitions, and learning about administration because ultimately I would like to set up a studio where I can paint and sell my work."

He is hoping to get a place on a Fine Art masters at either Chelsea College of Art and design or the Royal College of Art and Design, two of the country's leading art and design colleges.

The three winners will be on show at the gallery from June 28 to July 15 2007.