Yesterday I went to the exhibition for The 6th John Ruskin Prize at Trinity Buoy Wharf - and I was VERY impressed! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND paying this a visit if you like artwork which has been made by thoughtful artists who make you think!
Below you can find out about:
- what is the John Ruskin Prize
- why it's worth a visit
- how to see it
- who won the prizes on offer
- names of artists shortlisted for the exhibition
What is the John Ruskin Prize? (In a nutshell)
Selected from over 4000 entries, the final shortlist of 78 pieces from 68 artists, makers and innovators have been given a platform for the unseen to be seen and the unspoken to be heard.
The John Ruskin Prize:
- is a multi-disciplinary biennial art prize in the UK
- was inaugurated in 2012 by The Guild of St. George and visual literacy charity, The Big Draw.
- Entry is eligible for all artists, designers and makers - especially those whose artwork defies easy categorisation
- encourages entries in a wide array of media
- requires all submissions to respond to the theme of the biennial exhibition
- The judging panel consisted of Narinder Sagoo MBE, Cornelia Parker CBE RA, Bob and Roberta Smith RA, Gary Hill, Julian Stair OBE, Dr Rachel Dickinson and Jane Barnes.
- Organised and delivered by The Big Draw
The prize aims to reflect a central thread of John Ruskin’s thought; as a writer and artist - and as an impassioned critic, not only of art but of society and life - he believed that art has the power to reveal and celebrate universal truths, and that a good artist and maker in any medium should always be guided by that search.The Prize used to hold an exhibition every other year - but the pandemic made sure that didn't happen so this is the first one since 2019.
These are links to the past exhibitions on The John Ruskin Prize
website
- 2012 (1st) A New Look at Nature - https://www.ruskinprize.co.uk/the-1st-john-ruskin-prize
- 2014 (2nd) Recording Britain Now - https://www.ruskinprize.co.uk/the-2nd-john-ruskin-prize
- 2016 (3rd) Recording Britain Now (Society) - https://www.ruskinprize.co.uk/the-3rd-john-ruskin-prize
- 2017 (4th) Master of all Trades - https://www.ruskinprize.co.uk/the-4th-john-ruskin-prize
- 2019 (5th) Agent of Change - https://www.ruskinprize.co.uk/the-5th-john-ruskin-prize - this attracted over 1260 entries / 3000 artworks.
If after reading this review and/or visiting the exhibition you're interested in entering the next one - in 2025 for an exhibition in 2026 - you may like to read the Submission Guidelines & FAQS for the 6th Exhibition
The 6th John Ruskin Exhibition
In summary:
- Artists were invited to respond to the theme for the 6th John Ruskin Prize Exhibition in 2024, Seeing the Unseen, Hearing the Unspoken. This could be explored and interpreted in many different ways.
- Artwork for the 2024 Exhibition was selected from over 4000 entries from UK and international artists. You can see the Judges here.
- The final shortlisted artworks of 78 pieces from 68 artists, makers and innovators can be seen at The Buoy Store, Trinity Buoy Wharf, until February 17th (more details below)
Entries were welcomed from artists, designers, architects and makers, at
all stages of their careers. For the first time, entries were open
to
- the medium of photography
- creatives across the globe (but only in respect of digital entries).
Why this exhibition is worth a visit
The 2024 John Ruskin Theme - Seeing the Unseen, Hearing the Unspoken
 |
| The theme for the 6th John Ruskin Prize |
One of the requirements of this exhibition is that ALL artworks must respond to the set theme.
WHAT DO I NEED TO SUBMIT FOR THE JOHN RUSKIN PRIZE?
Make sure your work responds to the theme, Seeing the Unseen, Hearing the Unspoken? Submission Guidelines and FAQs
The exhibition theme is a major characteristic of The John Ruskin Prize.
- It's very much NOT just a "send us your artwork" exhibition.
- Hence, by definition, it appeals to a certain type of artist who has no problem creating artwork based on a concept.
It also means that the exhibition can include artwork which comment on current or recent topical issues.
The standard of artwork in this exhibition is unusual. In terms of thoughtfulness, imagination and creativity, in my opinion, it far exceeds artwork typically seen in most open art exhibitions.
