Photo:Steve Pool
Over the next two years Abbeyfield Park House will host a programme including an artist placement and workshops about the Victorian thinker and artist John Ruskin.
Artists Kate Genever and Steve Pool have successfully applied for funding to produce new work about Ruskin, who encouraged people to see clearly, think imaginatively and act boldly.
In 1871 he established the Guild of St George to help create better places for people to live and work. He went on to create a pioneering collection of visual art, natural history specimens and manuscripts to inspire and educate nineteenth century metal workers in Sheffield.
The Ruskin Collection, originally displayed in a small museum at Walkley, is now stored and displayed in Sheffield at the Millennium Gallery.
An opportunity to go behind the scenes at the museum and see the collection will also be part of the programme.
Local artist, Steve, told the Messenger
“People seem really interested in Ruskin and his romantic views of nature, but he was very political, he wanted to see a better society where people lived and worked together and connected.
“Many of the problems Ruskin encountered in Sheffield 150 years ago are still with us today – poverty, lack of social mobility and, as we approach global collapse, an understanding of what it is to care for the world.”
The work is in partnership with the city wide project ‘Ruskin in Sheffield’ www.ruskininsheffield.com/
Kate and Steve would like to hear from anybody interested in Ruskin who might like to get involved – email Steve at spsheff@aol.com
There is no wealth but life.”
John Ruskin