Our beneficiary John Cutting’s collaboration with fellow York St John University student Amy Majed has won the Eleanor Worthington Prize for the “Inclusion of Disability in Raphael’s World”.
About the prize
For the fifth centenary of the death of Renaissance artist Raphael, the Eleanor Worthington Prize Association decided to combine the events that celebrate this anniversary in the Italian city of Urbino, where Raphael was born. The theme of the prize, “Inclusion of Disability in the World of Raphael”, is inspired by the numerous examples of disability presented in Raphael’s own works.
About the sculpture
Despite lockdown restrictions and limited time on campus, John and Amy (both third year Fine Art students at York St John University) worked over three weeks to create the sculpture. Amy’s extensive research into Raphel’s art and legacy was used to create the external finish and refine the sculpture to fit the theme for the prize.
The most striking feature of the sculpture is the prosthetic limb and casting mould that were previously used for the rehabilitation of ex-service personnel. The prosthetic is held up by a combination of resin, concrete and metal fixings and has lights shining through the clear casting moulds to give the illusion of a body being held up by a heavenly being.
John explains: “I stopped building the sculpture without arms or a head when I felt there was enough within the sculpture for the viewer to identify with it as a body. The torso has been twisted as if in pain and left open and exposed.”
With the guidance of tutors at York St John University, John was able to keep his education on track and use his own experiences living with Complex PTSD within his artwork.
About John Cutting
Formerly of the Royal Engineers, John served back-to-back tours in Northern Ireland at the height of The Troubles. As a result, he developed Complex PTSD which went undiagnosed for many years. He was later introduced to Finchale – one of our 89 partner charities – which offers support to veterans in the north east. John began to find therapy in art and decided to take on a three-year degree in Fine Art. Our charity stepped in to help John with a bursary to help him with living costs so he could continue his education.
John said: “I want to thank The Soldiers’ Charity for the support they have given me. It has taken away many financial concerns and anxieties so I can concentrate solely on my art education with much more confidence.”