College News
New publication: College Record 2023/24
17 Mar 2025
Established in 2019, the Mansfield-Ruddock Art Prize acquires one graduate and one undergraduate artwork from the Ruskin School of Art degree show each year for Mansfield College’s contemporary art collection. The Prize is generously support by the Ruddock Foundation for the Arts, with our sincere thanks to Sir Paul Ruddock, an alumnus of the College.
The judging panel for this year’s prize included Sir Nicholas Serota, art historian, curator and Chair of the British Arts Council; Stephanie Straine, Senior Curator of Contemporary Art at the National Galleries of Scotland; and acclaimed artist and winner of the Mansfield-Ruddock Art Prize in 2022, Joy Labinjo.
Eunjo Lee’s winning piece was ‘Lullaby O’ The Ruin’, a 16 minute 3D experimental animation filmed in 4K, with music by Juliet Merchant, sound design and editing by Harry Charlton, and voiceover by Steph Hartop. Eunjo’s work blends theoretical and mythological elements to expand the sense of life. Through digital media, she creates ecological narratives that explore the interconnectedness of all beings, achieved through the spiritual potential of technology in the context of world-building.
Commenting on her prize, Eunjo said: “While it is easy to feel uncertain and waver in the long-term commitment that the journey of being an artist entails, this award has provided me with immense support and encouragement as I take my first steps post-graduation, for which I am truly grateful. It has strengthened my belief in my work, giving me the drive to continue developing. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the judges for valuing my work and recognising its potential.”
Jamie Bragg’s winning piece, an oil, acrylic and pastel on canvas painting entitled ‘My pal Dixon with my chum the Donk!’, was inspired by the experiences of his great grandfather.
In Jamie’s own words, he explains: “Rifling through old family albums. I found photographs of landscapes, grazing cows, olive trees and white houses. There were disturbing images of dead soldiers and war machines. The photographs were taken by my great grandfather Willis Bragg who was in the British Army, stationed in Egypt and Palestine between 1915-1916. He wasn’t allowed a camera and the photographs were taken in secret. Despite their allure, I began to see them as documents of trauma. I imagined the gaze of a man I’d never met, in a place now permanently scarred by colonial occupation.”
Commenting on his prize, Jamie said: “Receiving the Mansfield-Ruddock Art Prize is an incredible and unexpected honour. I feel deeply flattered by the judges for recognizing my work, and for my painting to be acquired by Mansfield College. The award has afforded me the opportunity and stability to help set up my own studio, and I am incredibly excited to embark on the next chapter of my artistic career.”
Brandon Saunders’ winning artwork, entitled ‘Blouse and Skirt’, comprises 9 pieces of fabric and two risographed paper pieces alongside a film, to which Brandon plays the piano accompaniment. Brandon explains that Blouse and Skirt sets to explore the cosmic horror intrinsic to White Supremacy by posing it as an alien entity; through the language of West African fabric making traditions. When activated, the audience can see a woven speculative future, through the cultural lens of a hypothetical black tribe. Inspired by Christina Sharpe’s ‘In the Wake’, Brandon explains that his piece aims to make clear that Black freedom and survival can exist forever, but so can White Supremacy if not properly faced.
Commenting on his prize, Brandon said: “One of my earliest childhood memories is watching cartoons with my cousins, and then playing pretend behind my Aunt’s clip shop in Jamaica. It’s an honour to receive such an award for a medium that endlessly inspires me and reminds me of family”
Principal Helen Mountfield KC said: “I am delighted to congratulate the 2024 winners of the Mansfield-Ruddock Art Prize. This wonderful initiative allows Mansfield to acquire exciting contemporary works of art by up-and-coming artists from the Ruskin School, and it is a joy to see the prize stimulating curiosity and interest from our own students. We’re grateful to the Ruddock Foundation for the Arts, our judges, and the Ruskin School of Art for enabling this exciting collaboration to take place.”
Eunjo, Jamie and Brandon will be in conversation with Ian Kiaer, Professor of Fine Art at the Ruskin School of Fine Art at Mansfield College on Friday, 25 October, as part of the College’s Friday Talks programme, followed immediately by a private view and chance to meet the artists and view their works over drinks.
“My wife and I are pleased to support this Prize at Mansfield College, which serves the dual purpose of providing valuable assistance to artists graduating from the Ruskin School, and enabling the College to build an exciting collection of contemporary art. I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to this year’s winners, Eunjo, Jamie and Brandon, who I know impressed the judges with their talent and originality.”
