• Nnena Kalu wins the 2025 Turner Prize, becoming the first artist with a learning disability to receive the accolade.
• Judges praised her "bold and compelling" sculptures made from unusual materials.
• The award was presented at a ceremony in Bradford, this year's UK City of Culture.
• Kalu's work symbolizes significant advances in the representation of neurodiverse artists in contemporary art.
• She receives a £25,000 prize for her innovative artistic contributions.

Glasgow-born artist Nnena Kalu has made history by winning the 2025 Turner Prize, recognized for her "bold and compelling" sculptures and drawings. This notable achievement marks a significant milestone as she becomes the first artist with a learning disability to win this prestigious award, according to BBC and Reuters.

Kalu's artworks, characterized by hanging sculptures made from a variety of wrapped materials such as fabric, rope, and tape, captivated the jury, who described them as possessing a powerful presence. The artist, 59, also earned acclaim for her large-scale drawings, which were celebrated for their scale and color, offering a unique visual language, as noted by SCMP and Reuters.

The Turner Prize ceremony took place in Bradford, the current UK City of Culture, where Kalu was awarded a £25,000 prize for her distinguished contribution to contemporary British art. The judges emphasized that their decision was based on the quality and uniqueness of Kalu's artistry rather than her neurodivergent identity, according to BBC and SCMP.

This win is hailed as a breakthrough for inclusivity in the arts, with support from various organizations, including the disability charity Sense, which celebrated Kalu’s accomplishment as "incredibly significant." Her success is viewed as a step towards breaking down barriers and combatting prejudice in the art world, reflecting her hard work and endurance amidst challenges, as reported by SCMP.

All nominees for the Turner Prize, including artists Rene Matić, Zadie Xa, and Mohammed Sami, showcased their works at the Cartwright Hall Art Gallery in Bradford, ensuring a diverse representation of contemporary practices in art. The Turner Prize, established in 1984, continues to be one of the leading visual arts awards globally, drawing attention to innovative and transformative work within the art community, according to Reuters and BBC.