Secret art postcards go on sale

The Secret Postcard sale features a diverse range of designs In pictures

Postcards designed by some of the world's best known artists and designers are to go on sale later at London's Royal College of Art.

In total 2,700 postcards - some by established artists, others by students - will go on sale, each for £40, at the annual Secret Postcard Sale.

But the identity of the artist is only revealed once the artwork is bought.

Artists Tracey Emin and Grayson Perry, as well as shoe designer Manolo Blahnik, have contributed this year.

Others to contribute include photographer David Bailey, former Clash member Paul Simonon, Wallace & Gromit creator Nick Park and artist Yoko Ono.

It's one of the most democratic art sales in the world - everyone has an equal chance of getting a big name Professor Glynn Williams

The event raises money for the RCA's Fine Art Student Award Fund.

Professor Glynn Williams, head of fine art at the RCA, said: "We are incredibly pleased with this year's postcards donated by some of the world's leading artists and designers.

"RCA Secret is about securing the future of the next generation of artists and when the public buy postcards at the event they are helping to make this possible.

"It's one of the most democratic art sales in the world - everyone has an equal chance of getting a big name."

The postcards have been exhibited in the RCA galleries and online over the past week.

The exhibition was the brainchild of a student of the London university in 1994.

To date, sales of postcards have topped £1m for the fund, helping hundreds of emerging artists.