AN ASIAN artist from Nelson will fly to the United States later this month to oversee the installation of her work as the centrepiece of a new mosque.

Shahiba Haider-Choudhry, 28, caught the eye of the religious leaders behind the mosque scheme in Oklahoma after sending them sketches of her ceramics work, based on Islamic architecture and calligraphy.

"They got back in touch and said they wanted me to install a 16ft by 4ft piece as the focal point in the mosque," explained Shahiba, who has also carried work for Dubai International Airport.

"It's a great honour because it will be the centrepiece for the mosque.

"They asked me to fly out for the installation and because of the size of the piece I will probably be there for about a week."

Shahiba will fly to America on August 26 but between now and then local people will be able to enjoy her work during an exhibition at the Platform Gallery, Clitheroe, as part of the town's Mela festival of Asian arts.

The exhibition started on Monday and will run until August 22.

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