A MALVERN photographer has been selected to take part in a major international art festival.

Luke Unsworth will exhibit and sell his work in the art market at New Art Birmingham, held in the city's Jewellery Quarter next month.

Luke was one of 60 artists chosen from more than 700 applicants for the event, where audiences and collectors can meet artists and commission work.

He has been taking photographs for more than 15 years, after first developing an interest as a child. He currently works as a commercial photographer two days a week, fitting in his own projects when he can.

"I used to take a few pictures when I was a child, and I enjoyed it and it came naturally," he said.

"I then realised I should probably train professionally to do it."

This is the biggest event Luke has ever been involved with, and he hopes it will create new opportunities.

"I'd like to have more time to do my own work, and whether I sell anything or not the exposure and networking opportunities the event provides are the most important things," he said.

"I'd like to work on arts- based projects full-time and do less commercial work, and you need exposure to be able to do that."

Luke hopes the exhibition could lead to future collaborations with artists from other fields.

"I think the most interesting projects are those when you work with someone who does something slightly different," he said.

Luke, who recently moved to Malvern from Birmingham, plans to make contact with the town's various art societies. He would like to involve the local area in his future work.

"I'd really like to do a project here, I'm interested in history and there's a lot of that around here," he said.

The art market at New Art Birmingham takes place at The Kettle Works in Birmingham on Friday and Saturday, December 9-10, from 10am-6.30pm. For further information, call 0121 464 1194.