The 2024 Turner Prize nominations have made history by featuring four artists receiving first-time nods for their outstanding contributions to the art world. Announced at the Tate Britain in London, Pio Abad, Claudette Johnson, Jasleen Kaur, and Delaine Le Bas have been recognized for their groundbreaking artistic practices.
Pino Abad, a Filipino artist, captivates with his unique approach that blends objects, textiles, painting, and drawing to explore his cultural upbringing. His solo exhibition, ‘To Those Sitting in Darkness,’ showcased at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, highlighted overlooked histories by repurposing items within the museum’s collection.
Claudette Johnson, a founding member of the BLK Art Group, has gained recognition for her powerful large-scale portraits of Black women and men created using pastels, gouache, and watercolor. Her solo exhibitions, ‘Presence’ at the Courtauld Gallery in London and ‘Drawn Out’ at Ortuzar Projects in New York, showcased her exceptional talent in representing Black people in the Western art canon.
Jasleen Kaur, a rising star born in Glasgow in 1986, has captivated audiences with her evocative use of sound installations and sculptures. Her exhibition ‘Alter Altar’ at Tramway explored cultural heritage through personified everyday objects, including family photos, an Axminster carpet, and kinetic hand bells.
Delaine Le Bas, a British artist of Romany background, has consistently challenged notions of nationhood and belonging through her work. Her presentation ‘Incipit Vita Nova. Here Begins The New Life/A New Life Is Beginning’ at Secession in Vienna transformed the gallery into an immersive environment that blended visual, performance, and literary practices, exploring themes of Romany history, mythology, and personal loss.
The Turner Prize, established in 1984, has played a significant role in recognizing some of the most prominent artists in the United Kingdom, including Damien Hirst, Steve McQueen, and Anish Kapoor. The winner of the £25,000 top prize will be announced on December 3rd, 2024, at the Tate Britain, marking the ceremony’s return to its traditional home after six years. Before the announcement, the nominated artists’ works will be showcased at the gallery from September 25th, 2024, to February 16th, 2025.
