Budding young artists are being offered the unique opportunity to have their work displayed in a major new exhibition, as part of a competition launched today by City of London Corporation’s Guildhall Art Gallery and the De Morgan Foundation.

Sublime Symmetry (open now at Guildhall Art Gallery) uncovers the mathematical concepts, symmetrical shapes, and fantastical beasts featured in the designs of William De Morgan, the leading ceramicist of the Victorian ‘Arts and Crafts’ movement. The exhibition showcases 80 his most sought-after lusterware pots, decorative tiles, vases, and plates from the De Morgan Foundation’s collection.

The contest, which aims to inspire young people to appreciate and become active in the arts, is asking entrants to create their own De Morgan-inspired art works. A panel of judges from Guildhall Art Gallery and De Morgan Foundation will select two pieces, one from the 6-12 year age group and one from the 13-16 age group to be displayed in Sublime Symmetry alongside William De Morgan’s ceramics. The lucky winners will be invited to see their work unveiled in the exhibition in the summer.

Elizabeth Scott, Head of the City of London Corporation’s Guildhall Art Gallery, said: 'This competition helps celebrate the outstanding work created by William De Morgan, in particular, the beautiful geometric patterns and wonderful creatures that feature in his designs. We hope that the competition will help encourage the students to visit Guildhall Art Gallery and be inspired by the wide range of art works on display here.'

How to enter:

The deadline for submissions is Friday 6 July. Entrants are encouraged to create an artistic interpretation of the fantastical beasts, animals, and symmetrical shapes that feature in the designs of De Morgan’s ceramics. Any type of visual medium may be used, including pencil, paper, acrylic, ceramics, street art, crafts, photography, sculpture, and digital tools.

Full details can be found at www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/sublimecomp, including images of De Morgan’s ceramics to inspire entrants.

Younger children (6-12 years) may also download and print out a template of De Morgan’s artworks to work from. Entrants should send a clear image of their work, stating their age, to Guildhall Art Gallery, either, via email [email protected] or by posting it to Twitter or Guildhall Art Gallery’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/GuildhallArtGallery) using the hashtag #MyDeMorgan.

A family friendly exhibition, Sublime Symmetry is supported by an exciting schools programme and a teacher information pack aimed at Key Stage 2 available at www.demorgan.org.uk/loans-and-exhibitions/sublime-symmetry/education.

For more information about the exhibition, visit www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/sublimesymmetry

The City of London Corporation, which owns and manages Guildhall Art Gallery, invests over £100m every year in heritage and cultural activities of all kinds. It is the UK’s largest funder of cultural activities after the government, the BBC, and Heritage Lottery Fund.

It is also developing Culture Mile between Farringdon and Moorgate – a multi-million-pound investment which will create a new cultural and creative destination for London over the next 10 to 15 years. This includes £110m funding to support the Museum of London’s move to West Smithfield and £2.5m to support the detailed business case for the proposed Centre for Music.