Mark Brown's oil painting 'Transformation 2' has won the Carmichael Critic's Award held in Barbados. Brown, a lecturer at the Antigua State College entered his painting on the invitation of the Curator of Zemicon Art Gallery, Therese Hatchetty.

The gallery presents an annual exhibition and this year it featured works only by past and present students of the Barbados Community College's Visual Arts Programme.There are two prizes - the Critic Award and the Audience Award (voted by members of the public). Work submitted had to fit into the theme 'Beginnings'.

Mark Brown is very honoured to have won this award, considering he no longer resides in Barbados: "I was quite surprised and humbled to win this award, especially as I last exhibited my work in Barbados 18 months ago," stated the artist.

'Transformation 2' is from Brown's 'Angel in Crisis' collection, in which the artist explores an angel's dilemma of becoming mortal. Mark explains "this painting has solicited a lot of comments and responses, as it challenges the viewer beyond the obvious image of shedding skin or one's identity."

Brown graduated from Barbados Community College with a First Class Honours degree in Fine Arts, prior to this he worked as an Art Teacher and stylist.

For more info and to view Mark's website, go to markbrownart.com