Tate has revealed the four artists shortlisted for the 2025 Turner Prize, one of the UK’s most prestigious art awards, now in its 41st year. The nominees are Nnena Kalu, Rene Matić, Mohammed Sami, and Zadie Xa.
Nnena Kalu is known for her cocoon-like sculptures made from paper and textiles, which are intricately layered and wrapped in vibrant cellophane and tape. The jury praised her innovative use of materials, color, and form, as well as her ability to engage dynamically with architectural spaces.
Rene Matić received a nomination for their solo exhibition AS OPPOSED TO THE TRUTH at CCA Berlin. Their work features deeply personal photographs of loved ones displayed in stacked frames, accompanied by sound installations and banners. Matić explores themes of belonging and identity, capturing tender moments within a broader political framework.
Mohammed Sami is nominated for his solo exhibition After the Storm at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire. He is renowned for his large-scale paintings that address themes of memory and loss, drawing on his experiences living in Baghdad during the Iraq War and as a refugee in Sweden. His art often depicts empty landscapes and interiors, symbolizing absent bodies and the surreal nature of memory in exile.
London-based artist Zadie Xa is nominated for her presentation Moonlit Confessions Across Deep Sea Echoes: Your Ancestors Are Whales, and Earth Remembers Everything with Benito Mayor Vallejo at Sharjah Biennial 16. Her work blends painting, murals, textiles, and sound, focusing on the sea as a spiritual realm that connects traditions and folklore.
The shortlisted artists’ works will be displayed at Cartwright Hall Art Gallery in Bradford from September 27, 2025, to February 22, 2026. The winner will be announced during a ceremony in Bradford on December 9, with the overall winner receiving £25,000 and the other finalists each receiving £10,000.
The Turner Prize gained attention last year when previous winner Jasleen Kaur used her acceptance speech to advocate for Palestinian causes. Outside the ceremony, protesters called on Tate to reconsider its ties to organizations involved in the conflict. “I want the institution to understand that if you want us inside, you need to listen to us outside,” Kaur stated.
For more updates on the Turner Prize and the featured artists, stay tuned!
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