The Turner Prize 2025 officially launched on 23 September with an exhibition at Cartwright Hall Art Gallery in Bradford, and critics are already weighing in on the impressive line-up of artists. This year’s edition has sparked significant discussions, particularly surrounding the nomination of Nnena Kalu, a learning disabled artist, whose inclusion is being hailed as …
‘There’s No Fudging. She Deserves to Win’: Critics React as Turner Prize 2025 Opens
The Turner Prize 2025 officially launched on 23 September with an exhibition at Cartwright Hall Art Gallery in Bradford, and critics are already weighing in on the impressive line-up of artists. This year’s edition has sparked significant discussions, particularly surrounding the nomination of Nnena Kalu, a learning disabled artist, whose inclusion is being hailed as a watershed moment for the disabled artist community.
Kalu’s works—suspended sculptures bound with rope and tape alongside swirling vortex drawings—are currently on display as part of the UK City of Culture festival, which is hosting the Turner Prize this year. The exhibition will run from 27 September to 22 February 2026.
A Historic Nomination for Nnena Kalu
Kalu’s nomination has drawn widespread praise for representing the learning disabled artist community. As Michael Raymond, co-curator of the exhibition, points out, this moment is not just significant for Kalu, but for the entire community of learning disabled artists, both nationally and internationally. Writer and curator Lisa Slominski highlights how it’s crucial that an artist with limited verbal communication is now being showcased at this level. Kalu’s works are supported by ActionSpace, a visual arts organization that facilitates studio spaces for disabled artists, with Charlotte Hollinshead, the head of Artist Development at ActionSpace, serving as Kalu’s assistant since 1999.
Critic Adrian Searle of The Guardian has praised Kalu’s swirling, rhythmic drawings, calling them “riotous and rhythmic, purposeful and compelling,” adding, “There’s no fudging. Kalu deserves to win this year’s Turner prize.”
Other Nominees and Their Works
In addition to Kalu, other nominated artists are garnering attention for their compelling works:
- Mohammed Sami – The Iraqi-born artist, who grew up under Saddam Hussein’s dictatorship, is nominated for his solo exhibition After the Storm at Blenheim Palace. Sami’s paintings responded to the grandeur of the English estate and explored themes of memory and conflict. Critics like Nancy Durrant of The Times have praised Sami’s evocative and allusive works, calling them “stunning works that reward lengthy contemplation.”
- Rene Matić – Matić explores British identity and culture, with a particular focus on trans-rights issues. Her piece, Untitled (No Place for Violence, 2024), questions the symbolism of flags and challenges traditional notions of nationalism. Curator Raymond notes that Matić’s work feels “incredibly relevant and prescient,” especially in the wake of recent UK Supreme Court rulings on gender and sex.
- Zadie Xa – Xa’s multimedia installation, Moonlit Confessions Across Deep Sea Echoes: Your Ancestors Are Whales, combines painting, sound, textiles, and sculpture to explore themes of ocean life, generational grief, and Korean shamanism. The striking display includes suspended seashells that play a trippy sound piece, adding a unique sensory layer to the exhibition. Critics, including Alastair Sooke of The Telegraph, have singled out Xa’s visually arresting room as a highlight of the exhibition.
The Prize and Future Discussions
The Turner Prize 2025 is offering £25,000 to the winner, with £10,000 each for the three other shortlisted artists. The winner will be announced on 9 December 2025.
As Gareth Harris notes, this year’s exhibition is a timely reminder of how Turner Prize continues to push boundaries and highlight artists from diverse backgrounds and experiences. The ongoing debate surrounding the nominees reflects the evolving nature of the art world, where representation and inclusivity are playing an increasingly central role.
The exhibition will continue at Cartwright Hall Art Gallery in Bradford until 22 February 2026, making it a must-see event for art lovers and critics alike.
As the prize date approaches, all eyes will be on these four exceptional nominees, with many eagerly awaiting whether Nnena Kalu will indeed make history by winning the prestigious award.
