The 2024 Turner Prize is just around the corner, and anticipation is mounting as Tate Britain prepares to showcase the remarkable works of this year’s shortlisted artists: Pio Abad, Claudette Johnson, Jasleen Kaur, and Delaine Le Bas. The winner will be announced on December 3, 2024.

A Legacy of Contemporary Art Excellence

Since its inception in 1984, the Turner Prize has celebrated innovative British artists, named after the legendary painter JMW Turner. Each year, this prestigious award honors an artist who has made significant contributions through an exceptional exhibition or presentation of their work, reflecting the dynamic landscape of contemporary visual arts.

The 2024 Turner Prize Shortlisted Artists

Pio Abad
Pio Abad explores themes of cultural loss and colonial histories through his art, drawing from his Filipino heritage. His compelling drawings, etchings, and sculptures transform artifacts from British museums, shedding light on overlooked histories that resonate today. Abad received a nomination for his impactful solo exhibition To Those Sitting in Darkness at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford.

Claudette Johnson
Claudette Johnson creates powerful figurative portraits of Black individuals using pastels, gouache, and watercolor. Her work critically examines the marginalization of Black people in Western art history, often portraying family and friends in intimate settings. Johnson was nominated for her solo exhibitions Presence at The Courtauld Gallery in London and Drawn Out at Ortuzar Projects in New York.

Jasleen Kaur
Jasleen Kaur’s immersive installations reimagine everyday objects to challenge tradition and myth. Her works, including an automated harmonium, kinetic worship bells, and a red Ford Escort draped in an oversized doily, create a captivating sonic experience that reflects inherited and suppressed histories. Kaur was nominated for her solo exhibition Alter Altar at Tramway in Glasgow.

Delaine Le Bas
Delaine Le Bas transforms her spaces into monumental environments rich with painted fabrics, theatrical costumes, and sculptures. Drawing on the cultural heritage of the Roma people, her art delves into themes of death, loss, and renewal. Le Bas was nominated for her presentation Incipit Vita Nova. Here Begins The New Life/A New Life Is Beginning at Secession in Vienna.

Celebrating 40 Years of the Turner Prize

As the Turner Prize marks its 40th anniversary, it continues to promote a passion for contemporary art. Established by the Patrons of New Art under Alan Bowness’s directorship, the prize was created to encourage innovation and assist Tate in acquiring new works, providing a British equivalent to the Booker Prize.

Don’t miss this vibrant celebration of artistic excellence at Tate Britain! The 2024 Turner Prize promises to be a thrilling showcase of talent, with these four exceptional artists leading the way.