Scottish-Nigerian Artist Nnena Kalu Wins Prestigious Turner Prize

Yinka Olatunbosun

Nnena Kalu, a 59-year old Scottish-Nigerian artist, has made history as the first artist with a learning disability to win the prestigious Turner Prize. She received the 25,000-pound prize at a ceremony in Bradford, Northern England.

Born in Glasgow to Nigerian parents, Kalu’s winning works include vibrant, cocoon-like sculptures made from wrapped materials and abstract drawings featuring swirling patterns. The judges praised her “bold and compelling” work, highlighting its powerful presence.

Kalu, who has autism and limited verbal communication, has been supported by ActionSpace, a London-based organization that helps learning-disabled artists. Her win marks a significant milestone, breaking down barriers for artists with disabilities.

Her sculptures, created by wrapping materials like VHS tape, fabric, and rope, have been showcased in exhibitions, including Manifesta 15 in Barcelona and the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool. Kalu’s achievement is a testament to her unique artistic voice and talent.

Nnena, who has limited verbal communication, is a resident artist at ActionSpace’s studio, which supports learning disabled artists in London. Charlotte Hollinshead of ActionSpace said Nnena had “made history.”

“This is a major, major moment for a lot of people. It’s seismic. It’s broken a very stubborn glass ceiling,” Charlotte said onstage at the award ceremony in Bradford which is named the U.K. ‘s 2025 city of culture.

Nnena beat three other artists — Rene Matic, Mohammed Sami and Zadie Xa — to the prize, which was founded in 1984 and named for 19th-century landscape painter J.M.W. Turner. Established to promote young British artists, and now open to UK artists of any age, the prize helped make stars of shark-pickling artist Damien Hirst, potter Grayson Perry, sculptor Anish Kapoor and filmmaker Steve McQueen.