A MOTHER-OF-THREE who has displayed her artwork across the world has been shortlisted for an artistic award.

Shahida Ahmed, from Barrowford, has been nominated for an Alhambra Award for Excellence in Arts at this year’s Muslim News Awards.

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The former Nelson and Colne College student has exhibited her works at The Royal Opera Arcade Gallery in London, the Islamic Museum of Australia and the VM Gallery in Karachi, Pakistan.

The artist also held a private exhibition for Prince Charles in 2010, as well as presenting the former prime minister, David Cameron, with her work.

Ms Ahmed said she was taken aback when she heard she was nominated.

She said: “I was very honoured especially because its a public vote that gets you shortlisted.

“Being creative and expressing myself through art runs through my family.

“I have always seen myself as very British, I'm proud of my heritage and I wanted to try and express that in my work.

“I was born and raised in Lancashire and I’m extremely happy to say I’m from here.”

Ms Ahmed’s work explores clay, painting, coloured light and geometry.

Pendle’s MP, Andrew Stephenson, will be accompanying Ms Ahmed at the awards evening, which will take place in London on Sunday, March 26.

Ms Ahmed said she hopes to inspire others to get into art.

She said: “I was very fortunate as my parents let me be creative and go down a path I wanted to do.

“If I can make it into a career, anyone can.

“Art is such a fulfilling activity to take part in, whether its a full-time role or a hobby.

Mr Stephenson said: “Shahida is a wonderful role model for artists, not just locally and nationally but globally.

“She is a really inspiring woman and I wish her all the best at the awards evening.”