Brazilian-based beer brand Brahma has announced the launch of the VistoBrahma art competition to create a new design for its bottle. Brahma is looking for a vibrant, cutting edge piece of art that could appear on the Brahma packaging in stores across the UK.

Among the judges for the competition are Stella Vine, Jimi Crayon and Harry Pye who have also created their own limited edition designs. We spoke to Harry Pye about his piece which you can see above.

I feel that this piece of art captures the spirit of Brahma because… for me Brahma is the beer you drink with friends while feeling good about life and enjoying the sun.

Work in progress

When I think about Brazil I think about… my two Brazilian friends Camilla and Roberta. They both have beautiful, warm and enchanting smiles. They are both always positive and make me feel relaxed and happy. In April 2008 James Jessop and I were invited to exhibit our paintings in Galeria Thomas Cohn - a two storey, 5500 square ft space in Sao Paulo. James and I are both thrilled that we've been given the opportunity to visit Brazil. So, any mention of Brazil makes me feel excited.

Everybody Knows by Harry Pye

Lately my art has been inspired by… everything from realist paintings at the Hayward gallery, to conversations with Jasper Joffe, to my sister having a baby to re-watching DVDs of Dennis Potter's Singing Detective, to listening to the new album by the band Gallon Drunk, to reading children's books by Judith Kerr. My painting for Brahma is a collaboration with my friend Rowland Smith. I always ask his opinion.

To Know All by Harry Pye

I [nearly] fought the law… a few years ago when a bus ticket inspector told me that I had to pay £90 or appear in court for the wrong kind of bus pass. Although this guy was an idiot and a liar I decided I wouldn't allow him to bring me down. My friends and I organised a benefit show in our local pub. Some of my artistic pals gave me drawings and stuff and we raffled them off, other friends sang songs and did their party pieces. I raised far more than I needed to pay the fine and had a good laugh doing it. Even though the bus ticket inspector got £90 out of me, every morning he has to look in his mirror and see his evil face. So, I believe he lost and I won.

You Don't Understand by Harry Pye

If I were king I would make it illegal... to be king! I'd then celebrate by having a few Brahma beers with my friends.

Check out Harry's Myspace for more Pye-ness.

The VistoBrahma competition is open to anyone in the UK over the age of 18 – whether you're a painter, illustrator, photographer, street artist or anything in between. Visit WWW.VISTOBRAHMA.COM to see the full brief and terms and conditions.