Young artist appeals to rich and famous

A Westfield teenager's artistic talent has captured the interest of the rich and famous.

Ben Gregory, 15, who attends Claverham Community College in Battle, has been interested in art since he was nine and has already managed to sell three pieces of his work to charity campaigner and Robertsbridge resident Heather Mills.

His proud mum Rachel Pritchard, of Greenacres, Westfield, said: "Ben is very talented and Heather Mills said he could be the next Rene Magritte.

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"After she split up with Paul McCartney she took down his work at her Hove home and replaced it with several of Ben's pieces, which he sold to her when he was 13. I used to work for Heather as her housekeeper and she is very supportive of Ben.

"Street art is Ben's main passion, inspired by successful artists such as Banksy, but he aims to create his own unique style.

"It was recognised from an early age that Ben had severe dyslexia and dyscalculia (difficulty with maths) but through encouragement from teachers at Westfield Primary School he managed to channel his creative side into art."

He has produced masterpieces in various genres, from street art and graffiti to surrealist pieces.

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The teenager is in his final year at Claverham and his dream job is to work in car design.

His mother said: "He draws designs for cars at the moment and sends the pieces off to BMW.

"One of his projects has been to create an interior wall of art at a house in Hastings of an army graffiti theme. Ben is always looking for new ideas.

"With Hastings becoming one of the South East's up and coming towns for the art scene Ben is hoping that one of the local galleries may be interested in one of his unique pieces."

Ben's art work can be viewed on his Facebook page 'Ben Gregory Graffiti Artist'.