Turner Prize 2019 Awarded to All Four Finalists in Historic First
In a historic move, the Turner Prize has been jointly awarded to all four finalists—Lawrence Abu Hamdan, Helen Cammock, Oscar Murillo, and Tai Shani—for the first time in 35 years. This collective decision was made in light of the ongoing political turmoil in the UK and around the globe. The jury, led by Tate Britain director Alex Farquharson, unanimously endorsed the artists' request, highlighting their defiance of traditional norms. Each finalist received recognition for their unique works: Abu Hamdan for Earwitness Theatre, Walled Unwalled, and After SFX; Cammock for The Long Note; Murillo for Violent Amnesia and the 10th Berlin Biennale; and Shani for DC: Semiramis and Dark Continent, drawing inspiration from Christine de Pizan's feminist writings.
Key facts
- Turner Prize 2019 awarded to all four finalists as a collective for the first time in history.
- The prize was established in 1984 and is one of the most prestigious contemporary art awards in the UK.
- The artists—Lawrence Abu Hamdan, Helen Cammock, Oscar Murillo, and Tai Shani—proposed the collective win in a joint letter.
- The jury included Alessio Antoniolli, Elvira Dyangani Ose, Victoria Pomery, and Charlie Porter, chaired by Alex Farquharson.
- Abu Hamdan was recognized for Earwitness Theatre at Chisenhale, Walled Unwalled, and After SFX at Tate Modern.
- Cammock's The Long Note at Void and IMMA explores women's roles in the civil rights movement in Derry/Londonderry.
- Murillo's work reflects on displacement and globalization, shown at the 10th Berlin Biennale, Kettle's Yard, and Chi K11 Art Museum.
- Shani's Dark Continent project draws on Christine de Pizan's The Book of the City of Ladies.
Entities
Artists
- Lawrence Abu Hamdan
- Helen Cammock
- Oscar Murillo
- Tai Shani
- Christine de Pizan
Institutions
- Turner Prize
- Tate Britain
- Chisenhale Gallery
- Tate Modern
- Void
- IMMA (Irish Museum of Modern Art)
- Kettle's Yard
- Chi K11 Art Museum
- 10th Berlin Biennale
- Glasgow International
- The Tetley
- Nottingham Contemporary
- De La Warr Pavilion
- Artribune
Locations
- United Kingdom
- London
- Derry/Londonderry
- Dublin
- Cambridge
- Shanghai
- Berlin
- Glasgow
- Leeds
- Nottingham
- Bexhill-on-Sea