Outline of the Activity

In my initial proposal, I planned to produce 6 paintings including John Ruskin’s double-vision portrait and 5-6 drawings including a drawing of John Ruskin. However, due to a restricted schedule I changed the plan to produce 1 large double-vision portrait of Ruskin, 12 smaller nature-themed paintings and 1 drawing of Ruskin. This decision proved right in that I was able to deliver all works on time. Although the double-vision portrait of Ruskin titled “Conversation with Ruskin (Ecce Homo)” was produced as the principle work of the project, I believe that the 12 nature-themed small works matched it conceptually and technically, and were appropriate for celebrating the bicentenary of Ruskin’s birth.

The concept of the whole project was detailed in the book with the same title “Conversation with Ruskin”, which I produced before the artist’s talk, successfully held at Brantwood in September 2019. I also held a line hatching workshop at Brantwood in October for adults. Applications to the adult workshop was over quota and 20+ participants all enjoyed learning my original line hatching technique.

Due to the popularity of the exhibition at the Blue Gallery in Brantwood, which was held immediately after the first major Turner exhibition at the same location, the director of the Brantwood Trust decided to prolong the exhibition period until 17th November. The exhibition was featured in local media such as the Westmorland Gazette and Cumbria Life Magazine.

The dates for the tour to The Ruskin at Lancaster University was confirmed in late August 2019, and the exhibition was realised on 23rd January 2020, simultaneously with the “Ruskin: Museum of Near Future” exhibition at the upper gallery. The installation was excellent, owing to the thoughtful exhibition plan by the curator team at The Ruskin. I organised an inaugural presentation talk and gallery tour with an art demonstration, both of which were much appreciated by participants including the team of organisers at The Ruskin.

In terms of promotion, I have delivered information about the project to as wide an audience as possible through various social media platforms. In whole, this art project “Conversation with Ruskin” has been a great success thanks to the generous financial support by Arts Council England.