Dr Alice Correia, a research fellow at the University of Salford has spoken out about the Turner Prize 2019.

The award has been shared among four artists for the first time ever, after ‘solidarity’ plea from nominees.

The decision for the four nominees to jointly win the prestigious award, was made after the artists sent a letter to the jury asking that the prize be a statement of ‘commonality, multiplicity and solidarity’ during a time of ‘political crisis’.

The letter read: “The politics we deal with differ greatly, and for us it would feel problematic if they were pitted against each other, with the implication that one was more important, significant or more worthy of attention than the others.”

Oscar Murillo, Lawrence Abu Hamdan, Helen Cammock and Tai Shani have been awarded the Turner Prize between them and will split the £40,000 prize money.

Art history research fellow, Dr. Alice Correia praised the jury and artists for positively reflecting a new generation of artists.

She said: “The decision of the Turner Prize judges to positively respond to the request of the nominated artists to share the prize is a reflection of a generation of artists who refuse to participate in a capitalist art-world system that seeks to create competition.

“Historically, in the race to the top, artists have had to prove themselves ‘better’ than their peers.”

The prize was presented by British Vogue editor-in-chief Edward Enninful last night, during a ceremony at the Dreamland venue in Margate.

The winners gave a politically and socially-motivated acceptance speech, thanking the jury for understanding their motives and sentiment behind each of their art.

Dr. Correia said: “The artists have demonstrated the power of communication and collaboration. Individually, their work addresses a range of pressing political and social issues- civil rights, the rights of migrant workers, the use of torture by oppressive regime and feminist future.

“It is right that we, as audiences, are able to consider these issues on equitable terms, rather than be distracted by which artist was deemed ‘best’.”

Learn more about the Turner Prize on their website.

Image credit

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *