Turner Prize 2021 Shortlist Features Only Collectives, Sparking Debate on Institutional Politics
The shortlist for the 2021 Turner Prize includes artist collectives: Cooking Sections, Gentle/Radical, Array from Belfast, Project Art Works, and London’s Black Obsidian Sound System (B.O.S.S.). These groups tackle issues such as ecology, social justice, gentrification, abortion rights, LGBTQ topics, geopolitics, and neurodiversity. Alex Farquharson, director of Tate Britain, remarked that the prize showcases modern British art. The jury consists of Zoé Whitley and Aaron Cezar, with Whitley’s experience at Tate and Cezar’s foundation backing Cooking Sections. B.O.S.S. criticized Tate for insufficient support of collectives, referencing staff cuts and previous connections to Anthony d'Offay. Tate reiterated its dedication to artistic freedom. The 2020 award was canceled due to COVID-19, and in 2019, four nominees shared the prize.
Key facts
- The 2021 Turner Prize shortlist includes only artist collectives.
- Nominees are Cooking Sections, Gentle/Radical, Array, Project Art Works, and Black Obsidian Sound System.
- Black Obsidian Sound System criticized Tate after the shortlist announcement.
- Tate responded by supporting artistic freedom and critical dialogue.
- The 2020 Turner Prize was cancelled due to COVID-19, with funds given as bursaries.
- In 2019, four nominees formed a collective and jointly won the £40,000 prize.
- Jurors include Zoé Whitley, director of Chisenhale Gallery, and Aaron Cezar, director of Delfina Foundation.
- Cooking Sections are currently exhibiting at Tate Britain.
Entities
Artists
- Alex Farquharson
- Russell Tovey
- Zoé Whitley
- Aaron Cezar
- Anthony d'Offay
Institutions
- Tate Britain
- Tate
- Chisenhale Gallery
- Delfina Foundation
- Arts Council
- Black Obsidian Sound System
- Cooking Sections
- Gentle/Radical
- Array
- Project Art Works
- Assemble
- Forensic Architecture
Locations
- Cardiff
- Belfast
- Hastings
- London
- UK
- Northern Ireland