Recording Britain Now

About

The Campaign for Drawing in collaboration with the Guild of St. George is delighted to bring an exhibition of drawings, paintings, prints and textiles by 23 artists shortlisted for the second John Ruskin Prize to Trinity Buoy Wharf. Still a relatively new award, the 2014 theme invited artists over 18 across the UK to submit ‘fresh, contemporary visions of the UK's urban, rural or social environment'. The selection panel considered 600 entries before agreeing on the final 23, which offer an engaging mix of materials, techniques and topical commentary, exploring urban sprawl, dereliction and the endangered British countryside.

Artists include: Maggie Hargreaves (Winner of the 2014 John Ruskin Prize), Mandy Payne (Shortlisted for the John Moores Painting Prize 2014), Sarah Taylor Silverwood (Curator of The Building Site Project), and Philip Sanderson (renowned textile artist).

These established and emerging artists use a rich mix of techniques and topical commentary to explore urban neglect and the endangered British countryside. There is a beauty to be found within much of it. This is an exhibition that makes for varied, intriguing and immersive viewing. (Daniel Dylan Wray, critic).  

Recording Britain Now is inspired by John Ruskin, artist, writer, critic and scholar, who believed that drawing helps us to see and understand our environment more clearly. Ruskin would surely approve of the artists' observational powers, but would also be dismayed by what they reveal of the state of our built environment.