The Turner Prize 2025 exhibition opened on 23 September at Bradford's Cartwright Hall Art Gallery, featuring nominees Nnena Kalu, Rene Matić, Mohammed Sami, and Zadie Xa. Kalu, a learning disabled Scottish artist, is nominated for her contributions to the Conversations exhibition at the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool and her work at Manifesta 15 in Barcelona. Her practice, supported by ActionSpace, includes suspended sculptures and vortex drawings. The exhibition runs from 27 September to 22 February 2026 as part of the UK City of Culture festival.
The nomination of Nnena Kalu is hailed as a watershed moment for learning disabled artists, both nationally and internationally. Critics like Adrian Searle of the Guardian endorse Kalu as the deserving winner, highlighting the significance of her inclusion. The prize also features Mohammed Sami, whose work responds to Blenheim Palace, and Rene Matić, whose practice engages with identity and contemporary culture. The show's location in Bradford underscores its importance to the local artistic community and the wider West Yorkshire region.