The John Ruskin Prize is a multidisciplinary art prize open to all artists, designers and makers, of all nationalities,
“The greatest thing a human soul ever does in this world is to see something, and tell what it saw in a plain way. Hundreds of people can talk for one who can think, but thousands can think for one who can see. To see clearly is poetry, prophecy and religion, all in one.”— John Ruskin, Modern Painters, Volume III, Part IV (1856)
The theme FROM THE EYE TO THE HAND invites a deep exploration of the relationship between perception and creation, the journey from what we see to what we make. Work submitted to The John Ruskin Prize should thoughtfully engage with and interpret this theme, delving into how our observations of the world translate into tangible expressions through our hands.
The theme FROM THE EYE TO THE HANDcan be explored and interpreted in a myriad of ways. Challenging us to explore the journey from perception to creation. It asks us to consider how our observations of the world are translated through the act of making, and what stories emerge when the hand interprets what the eye sees. For Ruskin, this process is not merely technical but deeply ethical, spiritual, and connected to the truth of nature. The artist’s task is to observe the world with sincerity and humility and to translate that observation into art with skill and integrity. The hand, in Ruskin’s view, should be a faithful servant of the eye, guided by a commitment to truth and a respect for the divine in nature. This perspective elevates the act of artistic creation to a moral and spiritual endeavor, where the connection between seeing and making is sacred. As John Ruskin once said, "To see clearly is poetry, prophecy, and religion, all in one." Through this theme, we are invited to explore how seeing and creating are intertwined, each enriching the other in the process.
For The 7th John Ruskin Prize, there are a few new additions. For the first time you can submit from anywhere in the world. The prize is open to digital submissions to facilitate international entries. The Prize welcomes works in all mediums, including drawing, painting, print, sculpture, photography, textile, animation, mixed media, digital, performance, installation and more.