AN AWARD-WINNING portrait from a west Dorset artist is now on display at Dorset County Hospital.

Chloe Cox, aged 24, from Bridport won last year's Society for All Artists (SAA) art awards with her painting 'Windrush', which is now on display at the Dorchester site.

Ms Cox's oil canvas piece is of her grandad, which was initially installed at the site to celebrate Black History Month in October, with the loan of the picture now extended until Christmas - allowing a bit more time for staff and patients to admire the striking image.

Bridport and Lyme Regis News: Windrush, the winning portrait. Picture: DCHWindrush, the winning portrait. Picture: DCH

She said: "My paintings often portray individuals from BAME (black, Asian and minority ethnic) backgrounds with fascinating stories, talents or traits that have been undervalued in some way.

"I draw from candid photographs and emphasise the features and textures to create a sense of permanence through paint.

“This painting of my granddad draws out the rich colours and textures of his face, which immediately fascinated me upon our last meeting."

Bridport and Lyme Regis News: Chloe Cox with her winning portraitChloe Cox with her winning portrait

The painting happened after her grandad visited her family in Bridport from the Caribbean.

She added: “Out on the docks of West Bay, I captured a photo of him bundled up in several layers, shielding himself from the breeze, unused to the British weather.

"Having been physically distant for so many years, I remember actively committing him to memory; the intonation of his Caribbean accent, the bark-like skin around his hands, the hint of sternness behind his eyes, an echo of the intelligent, military man he once was.

"And in that moment, on the docks, clicking away with my camera, I felt I had suddenly captured the essence of him; his brilliance, age and unfamiliarity - not just to me but to the environment - all bundled up against the cold.

"The hours spent painting this piece created a new connection to him, and I think of the marks like the roots of my family tree, which have become more prominent to me since then."

Bridport and Lyme Regis News: DCH CEO Patricia Miller with the winning portraitDCH CEO Patricia Miller with the winning portrait

Dorset County Hospital (DCH) CEO, Patricia Miller said: "I feel very privileged to have this wonderful piece of art here at DCH, especially during Black History Month.

"Being able to display Chloe’s artwork signifying these underrepresented and empowering individuals from ethnic minorities in British art is inspirational.

"As a black woman I am proud of the positive contribution black people have made to British history, this piece captures it beautifully."

Find out more here: Chloe Cox www.imartcee.com