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Nnena Kalu has made history by becoming the first artist with a learning disability to receive the Turner Prize, the United Kingdom’s most prestigious art award. Her vibrant and striking sculptures, along with her intricate drawings, caught the attention of the judges, who described her work as both “bold and compelling.” Kalu, who is 59 years old, is an autistic artist with limited verbal communication, and her achievement breaks new ground in the recognition of neurodiverse artists.
At the award ceremony held in Bradford, the current UK City of Culture, Kalu was celebrated for her distinctive artistic style. Her sculptures are known for their bright colours and are constructed from layered materials such as ribbon, string, card, and even shiny VHS tape. Her drawings feature swirling, tornado-like patterns that evoke a sense of movement and intricacy. Charlotte Hollinshead, who has collaborated with Kalu for 25 years and serves as her studio manager, highlighted the significance of the moment by calling it “seismic” and noting that it shatters long-standing barriers in the art world. On stage, Hollinshead praised Kalu’s dedication and expressed joy that her talent was finally receiving the recognition it deserves.
Kalu’s journey in the art world has been marked by gradual acceptance. Since 1999, she has been involved with Action Space, a studio supporting artists with learning disabilities, where she developed her unique approach to creating complex forms, often accompanied by loud disco music. Hollinshead spoke about the challenges Kalu faced, noting the lack of initial interest in her work and the discrimination against differently abled artists that persists today. She affirmed that Kalu’s Turner Prize win stands as a profound rejection of prejudice, celebrating her groundbreaking contribution to contemporary art.
The Turner Prize jury, led by Tate Britain director Alex Farquharson, emphasized that their decision was based purely on the quality and distinctiveness of Kalu’s art, rather than her neurodiverse identity. Farquharson described her sculptures as suspended, vividly colourful forms that transcend traditional paintings, appearing almost alive in the gallery space. The use of unconventional materials and the expressive, gestural qualities of her work impressed the judges, who deliberated thoroughly before selecting Kalu as the winner. This moment is seen as historic not only for Kalu personally but also as a milestone for greater inclusion of neurodiverse artists in the broader art community. Alongside Kalu, the other shortlisted artists—Rene Matić, Zadie Xa, and Mohammed Sami—were awarded £10,000 each, with all nominated works displayed in an exhibition at Cartwright Hall gallery in Bradford through February 2026
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