Student’s artwork chosen from thousands for renowned London exhibition

A University of Suffolk student’s artwork has been selected from almost 4,000 entries for a prestigious exhibition.

Third-year BA (Hons) Fine Art student Belinda Downing is one of just 82 creatives who have been shortlisted for the John Ruskin Prize Exhibition 2026.

The exhibition showcases talent in all media, encouraging interdisciplinary works responding to this year’s theme of Patient in Looking, Truth in Making.

Mrs Downing, who lives near Woodbridge, said: “I feel incredibly lucky to have been selected for the exhibition.

“The inspiration for Fragments (East Lane), an installation of eight pieces of hinged paintings on found boards which are double-sided, is from the ruined WWII gun emplacements of East Lane, Bawdsey.

“It depicts the memory of a place through fragments, using the viewer’s actions to see both sides of the hinged pieces. It showcases the beauty of graffiti and brutalist architecture contrasted with its abandonment and decay.”

Speaking about her course, she added: “The Fine Art programme, the way it is structured, has enabled me to develop in a way that I wouldn’t have thought possible.

“My lecturers have been an incredible source of advice and support over the last three years, knowing which direction to nudge me, so that I explore the themes I’m most interested in and take the most out of it.”

Jane Watt, Senior Lecturer in Fine Art, said the team are thrilled with Mrs Downing’s success.

“It is testament to her skill, creativity and innovativeness as well as professionalism that her paintings have been chosen from nearly 4,000 works submitted by emerging and established artists from across Britain,” she added.

“She has developed this series as part of her final year Fine Art degree work.

“It’s been great to see her work, which is rooted in the Suffolk landscape, developing in our studios here in the Arts Building, now being recognised on a national stage and to a wide audience.

“Our course prides itself in supporting our students to widen their professional experience and Belinda’s growing confidence and ability is evident in such a great accolade.”

The exhibition runs at Trinity Buoy Wharf in London, from 29 January until 21 February. For more information, visit the website here.

To find out more about BA (Hons) Fine Art, head to the website here.