A SCULPTURE by a Malvern-born artist will go on show at Witley Court, near Worcester, after he won a major art world prize.

Benedict Carpenter, aged 26, is the first winner of the newly-established £20,000 Jerwood Sculpture Prize.

He will now construct the piece, entitled Universal Object, which will be exhibited at the Jerwood Sculpture Park at Witley Court next year.

It will be on show alongside works by great artists such as Elisabeth Frink and Anthony Gormley.

The prize was established to encourage and reward emerging talent in the creation of outdoor sculpture.

More than 60 artists entered the competition. Eight were shortlisted with Mr Carpenter the youngest.

The winner was announced on Tuesday. Mr Carpenter's proposal, along with those by other shortlisted artists, is on show at the Jerwood Space, Union Street, London.

He said: "This is great news. I'm so surprised that I have won, because the competition was very stiff. Winning this prize will be a major boost to my career."

Universal Object, which will be about 3.5 metres long and made of bronze, is based on Rorschach tests, the inkblot technique used by psychologists.

"What I hoped to achieve was an object that could define its own autonomy, and resist the colonising interests of the artist and spectator," he said.

Mr Carpenter was educated at the Wyche Primary School and Malvern College before studying at Chelsea College of Art and the Royal College of Art.

His mother is a teacher at Malvern College and his father a senior scientist at QinetiQ and a former district councillor.

He now lives in Stepney, London, and is represented by the Henry Peacock Gallery.