Nnena Kalu Wins 2025 Turner Prize, Becoming First Artist with Learning Disability to Receive Award
During a ceremony held in Bradford, Nnena Kalu was declared the winner of the 2025 Turner Prize. The artist, originally from Glasgow, is known for her elaborate hanging sculptures crafted from recycled materials, earning her a nomination for her work Hanging Sculpture 1-10. Kalu's impressive portfolio features ten large sculptures showcased at Manifesta 15 in Barcelona and Drawing 21 (2021) displayed at Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool. The Turner Prize exhibition commenced at Cartwright Hall in Bradford in September 2025 and is set to continue until February 22, 2026, with an expected attendance of 34,000 visitors. Notably, Kalu is the first recipient of the prize with a learning disability. Other nominees included Rene Matić, Zadia Xa, and Mohammad Sami. The Turner Prize was founded in 1984.
Key facts
- Nnena Kalu won the 2025 Turner Prize
- Kalu is the first artist with a learning disability to win the Turner Prize
- The award ceremony was held in Bradford
- The Turner Prize exhibition is at Cartwright Hall in Bradford until February 22, 2026
- The exhibition has welcomed 34,000 visitors
- Kalu was nominated for her work at Manifesta 15 in Barcelona and at Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool
- The shortlisted artists were Rene Matić, Zadia Xa, and Mohammad Sami
- The Turner Prize was established in 1984 and named after JMW Turner
Entities
Artists
- Nnena Kalu
- Damien Hirst
- Lubaina Himid
- Laure Prouvost
- Rene Matić
- Zadia Xa
- Benito Mayor Vallejo
- Mohammad Sami
- JMW Turner
Institutions
- Turner Prize
- Manifesta 15
- Walker Art Gallery
- Sharjah Biennial 16
- Cartwright Hall
- Bradford Grammar School
- ActionSpace
- Arcadia Missa
- Aesthetica Magazine
Locations
- Bradford
- United Kingdom
- Glasgow
- Scotland
- Barcelona
- Spain
- Liverpool
- England
- Sharjah
- United Arab Emirates
- Baghdad
- Iraq
- Sweden
- London