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Nigerian-British artist Nnena Kalu has earned a landmark victory after winning this year’s Turner Prize, the United Kingdom’s most prestigious art award.
Her triumph is being celebrated globally as she becomes the first artist with a learning disability to take home the coveted honour, marking a transformative moment in the international art industry.
Kalu, 59, is widely recognised for her bold and energetic sculptures, which are created from layers of colourful ribbon, string, card, and reflective VHS tape.
Her drawings, described as swirling, tornado-like forms, have also drawn significant acclaim for their emotional rawness and unique visual rhythm.
The judges praised her work as “bold, compelling and powerfully original,” noting that her pieces challenge traditional boundaries while expanding conversations about inclusivity in contemporary art.
Born autistic and living with limited verbal communication, Kalu has spent decades refining her artistic voice through intense dedication.
Her win is being regarded as a major breakthrough, not only for her career but for the wider community of artists living with disabilities who have long been excluded from mainstream recognition.
During the award ceremony, Charlotte Hollinshead — who has worked closely with Kalu for 25 years — delivered an emotional tribute that moved the audience.
Standing beside the artist, she described the achievement as “seismic” and a moment that shattered long-standing barriers in the art world. “This is a major, major moment for a lot of people. It’s broken a very stubborn glass ceiling,” she said, her voice filled with pride.
Hollinshead also celebrated Kalu’s persistence and resilience, noting that the artist has been working tirelessly for decades, often without the recognition she deserved.
“This amazing lady has worked so hard for such a long time,” she said. “It’s wonderful she’s finally getting the recognition she rightly deserves.” Her words echoed the sentiments of many supporters who have followed Kalu’s journey and understand the significance of her victory.
Kalu’s win is expected to spark renewed conversations about accessibility in the creative sector and inspire more galleries and institutions to embrace artists with diverse abilities.
Many fans and observers see this moment as a turning point that could reshape how the global art community discovers, supports, and celebrates talent.
Her colourful, emotionally charged sculptures have already appeared in several exhibitions across the UK and Europe. With the Turner Prize now added to her achievements, industry experts predict even wider international interest in her work.
As tributes continue to pour in across social media, many admirers describe her win as a reminder that creativity knows no boundaries.
For Kalu, this recognition represents far more than a prize it marks the moment her years of passion, perseverance, and expression finally take their rightful place on one of the world’s biggest artistic stages.
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