St John's College Oxford Announces 2026 Mapleton-Bree Prize Winners in Creative Arts
Celebrating Creative Excellence and Artistic Innovation at St John's College
The creative community at St John's College has once again demonstrated its remarkable depth of talent with the announcement of the 2026 Mapleton-Bree Prize. Awarded annually for original works spanning the creative arts, this year's competition drew a significant volume of entries that highlighted the vibrant artistic culture thriving within the college grounds. Following careful deliberation by the judging panel, the prestigious award was shared jointly between two exceptional students: Joyce (Ruozhou) Wei and Dara Mohd.
Award-Winning Entries: Fine Art and Literary Fiction
The winning projects showcase a diverse range of disciplines and conceptual approaches, reflecting the broad creative engagement fostered at the historic institution.
Joyce (Ruozhou) Wei, a Fine Art student who joined the college in 2023, claimed a share of the prize for Eating My Ancestor. This striking piece took the form of an edible canvas featuring a digitally processed image of the artist's grandfather. The work invited active participation as the canvas was segmented and consumed, accompanied by a dedicated tasting tray. The judging panel praised the project for its technically inventive medium, which created a moving visual and phenomenological exploration of grief at a distance.
Dara Mohd, studying Philosophy and Theology since 2024, received the co-prize for Eastern Time, a short work of literary fiction set in Syria on the opening day of the Arab Spring. Judges commended the piece for its masterly layering of time and lyrical imagery, transforming a cafe setting into a profound meditation on traumatic memory. Readers can access the full text through the linked document on Eastern Time.
In addition to the main winners, the panel extended high commendations to musical compositions submitted by fellow students Elliot Wigham and Nicole Palka.
Exploring Culture and History in Oxford
While annual student accolades like the Mapleton-Bree Prize highlight contemporary creative achievements, visitors interested in the broader cultural landscape of the area can explore historic sites, exhibitions, and college grounds. To find more cultural highlights and plan your next visit across the city, you can browse listings on Musemap (musemap.art) to discover upcoming exhibitions and museums in Oxford.
