We were delighted to welcome Robin Sukatorn, winner of the John Ruskin Student Prize 2016 for his drawing of Jeremy Corbyn speaking in Manchester, to the Art Department as he spoke to students about his MA Illustration project Drawing Democracy.  Students from all key stages were particularly interested to see his reportage illustrations of debate in the House of Commons, and of the Scottish Parliament in session, as in the run up to the general election our students have been debating as candidates from the different parties in our mock election.  Robin was able to share his insight into democracy in action both at home and through his experiences from his visit to Washington explored through his drawings published in his book.   He shared his journey to his Illustration MA from MMU, from studying A Level Art in Edinburgh through Art Foundation at Falmouth via a first class degree in History and Philosophy from York University.  Students from all key stages were able to examine the detail of Robin's sketchbooks which he generously shared, and to see that skills learnt in the classroom such as investigating artists, planning, drawing from observation and experimenting are part of the everyday life of an artist.  We are looking forward to learning a little more through experience of Robin's drawing style through December.