Veronica Ryan Awarded 2022 Turner Prize for Sculptural Works Honoring Windrush Generation

Veronica Ryan received the 2022 Turner Prize, securing the £25,000 award at a ceremony held in St George’s Hall, Liverpool. Her victory was based on two key projects: the exhibition 'Along a Spectrum' at Spike Island in Bristol during 2021, and a public sculpture commission in Hackney featuring large-scale marble and bronze depictions of Caribbean fruits like soursop, breadfruit, and custard apple. This Hackney piece stands as the first permanent public artwork dedicated to celebrating the Windrush generation. The other shortlisted artists—Heather Phillipson, Sin Wai Kin, and Ingrid Pollard—each were given £10,000. J.J. Charlesworth of ArtReview noted Ryan's sculptures engage with the essence of sculpture through craft, allowing objects to defy conventional shapes and ideas. The jury included Irene Aristizábal from BALTIC, Christine Eyene of Liverpool John Moores University, Robert Leckie of Spike Island, and Anthony Spira from MK Gallery. Charlesworth described the 2022 prize as 'nervy, loud and unstable,' raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest since three jurors led galleries hosting shortlisted exhibitions.