The four nominees for the 2025 Turner Prize have been announced at Tate Britain, including Scottish sculptor Nnena Kalu, who is nonverbal autistic; Iraqi British painter Mohammed Sami; Rene Matić from Peterborough; and London-based Korean Canadian artist Zadie Xa. The shortlist was revealed by Tate Britain director Alex Farquharson, who praised the artists for reflecting the breadth of contemporary British art. The prize, established in 1984, awards £25,000 to the winner and £10,000 to each shortlisted artist. The nominees' works will be exhibited at Cartwright Hall Art Gallery in September as part of Bradford's UK City of Culture celebrations.
This year's Turner Prize shortlist matters because it continues the tradition of promoting public debate around contemporary British art, though some argue the prize has lost its former controversy-driven luster. The inclusion of Kalu, a nonverbal autistic sculptor, and Sami, an Iraqi refugee, highlights the prize's focus on diverse personal experiences and marginalized perspectives. The announcement also marks the 250th birthday of J.M.W. Turner, after whom the award is named, linking the prize's legacy to ongoing innovation in British art.