Miriam Escofet, a graduate of 3D Design and Craft, was presented with the award and £25,000 prize at the National Portrait Gallery in London.

The artist’s winning painting – a surrealist portrait depicting her mother drinking tea in her kitchen – is entitled An Angel At My Table.

It won plaudits from the judging panel for its “constraint and intimacy” and “surreal quality”.

One of the judges, Rosie Millard, said of the painting: “The crisp tablecloth and china are rendered so beautifully and then you see that one of the plates and a winged sculpture on the table appear to be moving, which adds a surreal quality to the portrait.”

Sam Davies, the University’s Director Of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement, said: “Congratulations to Miriam and we hope we will be able to welcome her back to the campus in due course.

“It would be wonderful to expose our current students to an artist of Miriam’s calibre as they look towards their own careers.”

Miriam moved to the UK from her birthplace Barcelona as a 12 year-old. After graduating from the Brighton School Of Art in 1990 she turned her hand to painting.

An Angel At My Table will be on display at the National Portrait Gallery in London from Thursday before it goes on tour around the UK.

For more information about Miriam Escofet’s work visit miriamescofet.com