NRI Jasleen Kaur Wins Turner Prize for Exhibition
Celebrating Scottish Sikh Heritage

Los Angeles/Dec 04, 2024
NRIpress.club/Ramesh/A.Gary Singh

Jasleen Kaur, a Glasgow-born artist, has been awarded this year’s prestigious Turner Prize for her thought-provoking exhibition Alter Altar. Hosted at Tramway in Glasgow, the exhibition weaves personal, political, and spiritual narratives to celebrate the Scottish Sikh community.

The 38-year-old artist’s installation incorporates unique elements such as a vintage Ford Escort adorned with a giant doily, family photographs, an Axminster carpet, kinetic worship bells, and even Irn-Bru bottles. The judges praised Kaur for her ability to bring together “different voices through unexpected and playful combinations of material,” creating a deeply immersive and reflective experience.

Presenting the £25,000 prize, actor James Norton acknowledged Kaur's achievement during a ceremony at Tate Britain. She triumphed over fellow nominees Pio Abad, Claudette Johnson, and Delaine Le Bas.

Kaur reflected on the impact of her win, noting how much it meant to both her local Sikh community and others she grew up with. “Something like this that is so visible means a lot to a lot of different people. I’m proud to represent them,” she said.

Growing up without exposure to the Turner Prize, Kaur explained that she lacked “cultural access" to such platforms. Her win marks a significant moment of visibility for underrepresented voices in contemporary art.

Kaur’s exhibition, Alter Altar, explores how cultural memory is embedded in everyday objects and rituals. Turner Prize organizers described her work as “a visual and aural experience that suggests both solidarity and joy.”

Kaur, who studied silversmithing at Glasgow School of Art and later earned a degree from the Royal College of Art in London, has previously showcased her work at institutions like the Victoria and Albert Museum. Her short film Yoorop offered an alternative view of European identity through Indian cinema.

The Turner Prize, established in 1984 and named after British painter JMW Turner, remains Britain’s most prestigious art award. This year’s prize celebrates its 40th anniversary, highlighting its ongoing mission to spark public debate about contemporary art.

The exhibition of the four shortlisted artists runs at Tate Britain until February 16, 2025. Next year, the prize will travel to Bradford, coinciding with the city’s role as the 2025 UK City of Culture, broadening public access to contemporary art across the country.

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