BRATTON Clovelly sculptor Nick Mackman has had four sculptures shortlisted for this year's David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation's Wildlife Artist of the Year exhibition in London later this month.

A firm favourite with the judges, Nick's work is always popular — this is her fourth year of being shortlisted.

Nick's work is one-off ceramic animal sculptures which she has widely exhibited and her sculptures feature in international collections.

She said she was very excited to be taking part in the exhibition again: 'It's great because half of everything that is sold goes towards the David Shepherd Foundation which raises awareness and funds for critically endangered animals.'

Nick has accepted commissions from British Airways and the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, with which she has been associated for 13 years. 

Nick aims to capture the character and personality of her subjects, the results of painstaking study and careful observation in the wild. 

She is passionate about the need to preserve rare and endangered species and seeks to enlighten us to their beauty, humour and tenderness.

'The shortlisted entries have been quite exceptional this year,' said wildlife artist and conservationist, David Shepherd, who launched the art competition in 2008 to raise funds and awareness for endangered wildlife.

'From the judges' point of view the drama and technical excellence in all the work was quite breathtaking,' he said.

Nick will this year be exhibiting wild dog pups, an aadvark, hyena and elephant.

The David Shepherd Wildlife Foundations' Wildlife Artist of the Year enters its fifth year with a spectacular week of wildlife art at London's Mall Galleries from May 21 to 26.