A Southampton Solent University student will have her work shown in Mayfair, London in a collaboration between 150 talented young artists from 16 universities and colleges, and 18 professional illustrators from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and the UK.

Co-curated by Pop Up Projects and House of Illustration, the Pop Up Creators exhibition will run from until May 20.

Charlotte Spillane is of Pilipino origin, and is a second year illustration student at the University. She mainly works in Photoshop with her graphics tablet or with fine liner pens.

Using what she has learned through the Pop Up Creators project, she aspires to be a comic book illustrator and concept and character designer for animated films, creating bright, colourful characters and worlds. She cites Sara Kipin and Loish as her inspirations. For this story her inspiration came from Filipino mythology.

Illustrator Axel Scheffler, who has written the foreword for the exhibition, says: “Children’s books and children’s book illustration are perhaps an underestimated means to further cultural exchange.

“Having illustrated a book (The Gruffalo) that has been, to my own surprise, such an international success – it has been translated into over 70 languages – proves that stories and images have a universal appeal.

“The body of work resulting from this project impresses in its variety of styles and approaches and I look forward to seeing the further development of these young talents.

“This artistic exchange, bringing together British and Baltic illustrators and students, against the backdrop of The London Book Fair, is an exemplary attempt to strengthen the dialogue across Europe and can hopefully be repeated in the future.”

Pop Up Projects is also launching a new digital platform, Pathways, developed in collaboration with illustration agency Inkygoodness and with seed funding from Arts Council England. Its aim is to seek out, curate and showcase diverse emerging illustrators and comic artists direct to children’s publishers, drawn from this project and beyond.