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Former Manifesta participant Nnena Kalu wins Turner Prize!
We are proud to congratulate former Manifesta participant Nnena Kalu on winning the 2025 Turner Prize.
The Scottish artist received the UK’s high-profile art award for her works Hanging Sculpture 1–10, commissioned by Manifesta 15 Barcelona Metropolitana, and her drawings of tornado-like forms, making history as the first artist with a learning disability to win.
During Manifesta 15 in 2024 Kalu presented the multi-media sculptural installation at The Three Chimneys. The site-sensitive work explored scale, materiality and space through repetitive processes using textile, paper and tape, creating a powerful contrast with the industrial setting. For Kalu, repetition is a way of inhabiting the world. Her installations focus on the relationship between the artist’s body, space and form, almost becoming an extension of her physical movement.
Courtesy of the Artist and ActionSpace.
Alex Farquharson, director of Tate Britain and chair of the prize jury, called Kalu’s victory a milestone, stating: “Firstly our decision was qualitative and based on the visual and aesthetic quality of Nnena’s work. It would not be a powerful statement if the work was not powerful on its own terms. Also, learning disabled artists have not been properly recognised in the art world so this is part of a change.”
Since 1999 Kalu, who is autistic and limited in verbal communication, has worked with the London-based nonprofit ActionSpace to create her art. During the ceremony Charlotte Hollinshead, who has worked with her for 25 years, stated: “This is a major, major moment for a lot of people. It’s seismic. It’s broken a very stubborn glass ceiling.”
Hedwig Fijen, Founding Director of Manifesta: “I am very happy that I was able to invite Nnena Kalu to Manifesta 15 and to commission a new work from her for the iconic Three Chimneys. As a member of the edition’s Artistic Team, it was important to me that Kalu’s practice was presented. Her installation was a powerful contribution to the biennial programme and it is of utmost importance that her work and practice are now also recognised by such a prestigious institution as the Turner Prize.”
Kalu’s work, including those exhibited during Manifesta 15 Barcelona Metropolitana, are on show in the Turner Prize exhibition at Cartwright Hall Art Gallery in Bradford until the 22nd of February 2026 as part of the UK City of Culture festival.