Jasleen Kaur has clinched the 2024 Turner Prize. At the age of 38, she is two years younger than the prize itself, which is commemorating its 40th anniversary. Actor James Norton presented the award to Kaur at a ceremony held at London’s Tate Britain gallery, marking a return to the venue for this prestigious accolade. Kaur receives a cash prize of £25,000 (€30,150) for her nominated piece, ‘Alter Altar’, which was first showcased at Tramway in Glasgow last year.

“From my current vantage point, I wish to echo the demands of the protestors outside. This protest, comprising artists, cultural workers, Tate staff, and students, is one I wholeheartedly support,” Kaur stated in her acceptance speech. She referenced an open letter signed by over 1,000 individuals calling on the Tate to “cut ties with organizations involved in what the UN and ICJ are increasingly labeling as the genocide of the Palestinian people.”

Kaur won the prize for her multidisciplinary approach that reflects her upbringing within the Indian community in Glasgow. Currently on display at Tate Britain, alongside the other nominees, her work transforms everyday objects through sound installations, delving into her cultural roots via sculptures crafted from family photos, an Axminster carpet, a vintage Ford Escort adorned with a large doily, Irn-Bru, and kinetic hand bells.

“The jury commended the thoughtful manner in which Kaur intertwines the personal, political, and spiritual in her exhibition ‘Alter Altar’, orchestrating a visual and auditory experience that conveys both solidarity and joy,” the Turner Prize noted in a press release. “They lauded her capacity to unite diverse voices through unexpected and playful material combinations, ranging from Irn-Bru to family photographs and a vintage Ford Escort, highlighting moments of resilience and potential.”

One of the most renowned visual arts awards globally, the Turner Prize seeks to foster public discourse about new trends in contemporary British art. Established in 1984, the prize is annually bestowed upon a British artist for a remarkable exhibition or presentation of their work. Previous recipients include Damien Hirst, Steve McQueen, and Anish Kapoor.

Also in attendance at the ceremony were the three other nominees, Pio Abad, Claudette Johnson, and Delaine Le Bas. Each of them receives £10,000 (€12,000). An exhibition featuring the four shortlisted artists is ongoing at Tate Britain until 16 February 2025.

At the exhibition’s launch in September, Kaur’s work was perceived as the least compelling among the nominees. “Though enjoyable, Kaur’s section seems the least engaging, with individual items lacking a unified theme or narrative beyond their personal connection to Kaur’s background,” we observed at the time. While Kaur’s selection as the winner is intriguing, her work appears to fall short of the Turner Prize’s reputation for recognizing more daring artistic endeavors.

“The Turner has always ignited excitement, controversy, and debate,” Norton remarked as he announced Kaur as the winner. While her work undoubtedly promotes cultural interaction, it may not generate the same level of cultural discourse that previous nominees like Tracey Emin did. Next year, the prize will be hosted at Cartwright Hall in Bradford as part of the 2025 UK City of Culture festivities, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of British painter JMW Turner’s birth.

Jasleen Kaur’s work and the other nominees can be viewed at Tate Britain, London, until 16 February 2025.

Source link:   https://www.euronews.com