A TRIBUTE to the memory of his father earned Jake Lever a spot at the Open West 2011 exhibition.

The artist's installation, called Crossing, features a spectacular five-metre-long gold boat suspended in the air.

Jake said: "My father died a couple of years ago of cancer.

"He always loved boats. I made this partly in his memory and also as an image for the passing from this life into the next."

The Open West exhibition is held in the Summerfield Gallery at the University of Gloucestershire from tomorrow until March 5.

Jake said: "There are a huge number of applicants internationally from Russia and America.

"I would encourage anyone who loves art to come along and have a look."

A talk by some of the Open West artists – priced £5 – will take place on Saturday from 10am to 5pm.

For more information, visit the website – http://theopenwest.org.uk.