'Extraordinary world-views': Turner Prize nominees revealed

The Turner Prize is a prestigious art award that takes place annually in the United Kingdom. This year, the nominees have been announced, and they include four talented artists: Nnena Kalu, Mohammed Sami, Zadie Xa, and Rene Matić. Nnena Kalu is known for her large, swirling drawings and vibrant sculptures. She has a learning disability and has been a resident artist with Action Space for over 25 years, creating art that is both unique and expressive. The other nominees bring their own distinct perspectives to the art world. Mohammed Sami, originally from Baghdad, draws inspiration from his experiences during the Iraq war and his journey as a refugee in Sweden. His work has been recognized in his solo exhibition After the Storm at Blenheim Palace, where he explores themes of memory and loss through powerful imagery. Zadie Xa, hailing from Vancouver, Canada, incorporates her Korean heritage into her art. Her installations feature a mix of paintings, traditional textiles, and brass bells that create harmonious sounds, reflecting her cultural background and the spiritual significance of the sea. Rene Matić, a photographer, writer, and poet from Peterborough, is nominated for her exhibition As Opposed To The Truth at CCA Berlin. Her work captures fleeting moments of joy and tenderness within a broader political context, using intimate photographs and objects to explore themes of identity and belonging. The winner of the Turner Prize will receive £25,000, and the announcement will be made on December 9 during a ceremony in West Yorkshire. The exhibition showcasing the work of these four artists will open at the Cartwright Hall Art Gallery in September as part of Bradford's UK City of Culture celebrations. Alex Farquharson, the director of Tate Britain and chair of the Turner Prize jury, emphasized that the shortlist reflects the diversity of artistic practices today, ranging from painting and sculpture to photography and installation. Each nominee is guaranteed to receive £10,000, highlighting the importance of their contributions to the art world. The Turner Prize, established in 1984 and named after the influential painter JMW Turner, is awarded to a British-based artist for an outstanding exhibition or presentation of their work. Shanaz Gulzar, the creative director of Bradford UK City of Culture 2025, expressed her excitement about bringing the prize to Bradford, a city known for its rich artistic heritage. She believes that having these four remarkable artists in Bradford speaks volumes about the city's cultural vibrancy and its ability to engage audiences.