FORGET Damien Hirst and his cows in formaldehyde . . . contemporary artist Gemma Brownstein has carved out her place amongst the cream of Britain's young artistic elite.

However, at first, the modest 17-year-old, of Ferndale Avenue, Whitefield, was not too impressed with her piece which has been chosen to appear at the Institute of Art in London.

The institute has a reputation for championing avant garde work and Gemma's wall hanging Salient Spectrum is a homage modern British master Frank Stella.

It was chosen for the ISADA Expo 2000 which exhibits the best teenage art in Britain from independent schools.

Gemma, pictured with her wall hanging, said: "Few of my friends or family liked the piece and I didn't think it was that special.

"However, my art teacher was taken aback and submitted it to the ISADA organisers."

Gemma gained nine A grades in her GCSEs with an A* in art. She will now continue her art work, but has chosen English language, geography and religious studies at A-level.

Ann Chambers, head of art at Manchester High School which Gemma attends, said: " It is a dynamic piece of work and very well informed about the art of Stella.

"Gemma has always been unduly modest about her talent, but the GCSE examiners and now the Expo 2000 organisers agree with me that she shows real talent."

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