Nick Hedderly, who's 41 and from Nottingham, has become the first ever artist to win both the Derby and the Nottingham City Open art competitions in the same year with different paintings of the same subject.

The inspiration for his winning paintings is Trellick Tower, a ten-storey public housing block of flats in west London.

It's a favourite with the artist. Earlier this month he picked up first prize in the Derby City Open art competition with a depiction of the flats.

A different interpretation of the same subject earned him top honours at the Nottingham City Open in the autumn.

The picture of Trellick Tower which won Nick Hedderly top prize in the Derby Open

As part of his prize a one-man Nick Hedderly exhibition will be held at the Nottingham Museum and Art Galley in November 2003.

Success isn't new to Nick.

Solo shows of his work have included a touring exhibition sponsored by Nottinghamshire County Council, exhibitions at the Century Gallery in Henley on Thames, the Oxford Arts Centre and The Blue Room in London’s Soho.

‘I am always fascinated by the urban and city environments, especially at night, and how it influences our imaginations,’ says Nick.

‘This then carries into my work in oils, acrylics and light. I wonder about the effect these buildings have on others and what feelings they invest in them, and how they become a repository of so many of our feelings and memories.’

Since graduating from Birmingham Art School in 1984, Hedderly has developed a passion for abstract interpretations of city and landscape scenes and draws much of his inspiration from the Nottingham and Derby area.

An exhibition of Nick Hedderly’s paintings based on the Trellick Tower is currently on display at the Blue Room, Soho, and London until the 28 December 2002.

Exhibitions scheduled for 2003 include a solo show at the Nottingham Castle Museum and Gallery, and Gallery 33 in London.