An artist 'born and bred' in Wells-next-the-Sea is a finalist in a prestigious international art competition.
Janice Alamanou has had her piece 'Gold Leaf' shortlisted for the final of the 2017 Global Art Awards, held in Dubai.
Mrs Alamanou described the news as 'amazing', and said: 'to be nominated in the first place was absolutely wonderful'.
'They spotted my work because I exhibit internationally.
'Its absolutely amazing, and I'm very, very happy. This means so much to me.'
The Norfolk photographer discovered she had made it to the final while exhibiting in France.
Her entry, 'Gold Leaf', a black and white photograph of a tree shedding its leaves in autumn, has been painstakingly hand-gilded with 24-carat gold.
The work is reportedly the first photograph that has been gilded with 24-carat quality gold to feature in the Global Art Awards.
Mrs Alamanou described the piece as intricate and autumnal. She added: 'Trees mean so much to so many different people. In Dubai they have a lack of water, and trees are very valuable.'
She also discussed the inspiration behind her work, including the Norfolk coastline.
'I'm Wells-next-the-Sea born and bred, going back generations.
'Norfolk is such an amazing place. You've got diverse coastline, iconic cliffs, vast saltmarshes, and inland you have the poppy fields, the bluebells and the pinewoods.'
'I call it the wonderful bubble of Norfolk.'
The presentation of the awards, which are organised by the Middle East Art Collector Association, will be held at the Armani Hotel, in Dubai, on Friday, November 17.
The event includes a gala dinner, the awards, and there may even be an appearance from the royal family of Dubai.
Mrs Alamanou, who has been a professional photographer since the year 2000, added: ''Gold Leaf' is open to sealed bids until the day of the awards.'
Her works are exhibited abroad in galleries including the Galleria d'arte Mentana, Florence, the Paks Gallery in Austria, and the Artifact Gallery, New York.
And going forwards, she will be specialising in photography with precious metals. 'Gold Leaf' is a one and only piece, but other uniquely intricate designs will shortly be available from Mrs Alamanou's photography business, Coastal Photography, in Wells.
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