HIBAPRESS – Art
British-Nigerian artist Nina Kalu achieved a historic achievement by winning the "Turner" Prize 2025, becoming the first artist living with autism and limited verbal communication to receive this prestigious award in the world of contemporary art. The announcement came during a ceremony in Bradford, where Nina went up on stage accompanied by two representatives from the "Action Space" foundation that has supported her for over 25 years. Studio director Charlotte Hollingshead confirmed that Nina "broke a historic barrier" thanks to a long struggle against discrimination and exclusion.
Nina's artistic career began in the nineties amidst neglect and disdain within art institutions, where her works were not exhibited with respect and were not considered part of the official art scene. Over time, persistence turned into strength; about 15 years ago, Nina moved from two-dimensional drawing to large sculptures based on layers of fabric, paper, and magnetic tapes, expressing the intimate relationship between the body and matter, while continuing to develop her artistic style through circular drawings that reflect her sensory and experimental movement with color and form.
The prize jury chose Nina's works such as "Drawing 21" and the series "Hanging Sculptures 1-10" in recognition of her "uniqueness and boldness" and her ability to transform expressive gestures into captivating abstract works. The organizers of the prize described her visual experience as "powerful presence," while art curator Lisa Salamansky considered Nina's nomination a "watershed moment" for the recognition of artists with disabilities, emphasizing that the artwork should be viewed as an independent practice worthy of appreciation in itself. Nina will receive a reward of £25,000, while the other nominees will receive ten thousand pounds each.
