British artist Curtis Holder wins The 6th John Ruskin Prize

I am incredibly honoured to have been announced as the joint winner of The John Ruskin Prize at the exhibition’s private view at Trinity Buoy Wharf in London.

For the first time in the award’s history two First Prize winners were announced, and I’m proud to share the honour with visual artist Will Bacon.

The John Ruskin Prize is an international multi-disciplinary prize inspired by the values of 19th century polymath, John Ruskin. It aims to reflect a central thread of Ruskin’s belief that art has the power to reveal and celebrate universal truths, and that a good artist and maker should always be guided by that search. The theme for this 6th edition of the prize is ‘Seeing the Unseen, Hearing the Unspoken’.

The exhibition of shortlisted artists features diverse talents representing drawing, painting, ceramics, animation, sculpture and installations. Each artist embraces the theme in their own unique and spectacular way and collectively the works are an exquisite blend of technical expertise, imagination and thought-provoking narrative.

My drawing ‘Will You Hear Me?’ (coloured pencil on paper, 120 x 120 cm, 2022) is part of an ongoing series of portraits titled ‘The Talk’ in which I explore and document intimate conversations with my sitters about our shared experiences as black men.

Huge thanks to the team at The John Ruskin Prize, The Guild of St George and the selection panel Narinder Sagoo MBE, Cornelia Parker CBE RA, Bob and Roberta Smith RA, Dr Rachel Dickinson, Gary Hill, Julian Stair and Jane Barnes.

The ‘Seeing the Unseen, Hearing the Unspoken’ exhibition is on now at Trinity Buoy Wharf in London until 17 February, 2024.

Will You Hear Me?, coloured pencil on paper, 120 x 120 cm, 2022