Scottish Sikh Artist Wins 2024 Turner Prize

Glasgow-born Scottish Sikh artist Jasleen Kaur has been awarded the Turner Prize 2024, one of the world’s most prestigious accolades in contemporary art. Known for her evocative exploration of personal, political, and spiritual themes, Kaur received the prize for her solo exhibition Alter Altar, which combines sculpture, sound, and music to reflect on community, cultural inheritance, and anti-colonial struggles. Her work is celebrated for its innovative storytelling, connecting everyday objects to broader narratives of resilience, memory, and identity.

Key Highlights

Winner: Jasleen Kaur, Glasgow-born artist of Indian Sikh heritage.

Prize: £25,000 (₹26.84 lakh approximately).

Awarded For,

• Her exhibition Alter Altar at Tate Britain, which features sculptures animated by sound and music.
• The weaving of personal, political, and spiritual themes in her work.
• Use of objects like Irn-Bru (Scottish drink), family photos, vintage Ford Escort, and Axminster carpet to convey stories of cultural and migrant identity.

Artistic Themes

• Focus on Sikh philosophy of Miri Piri (balance between political and spiritual).
• Anti-colonialist and anti-imperialist struggles linked to personal history.
• Migrant experiences and family memory.

Innovative Elements in Exhibition

• A vintage Ford Escort adorned with a crocheted cotton doily, representing migration and labor histories.
• Improvised vocal soundscape combining pop music and the artist’s voice.
• Inviting audience participation and reflecting Sikh community traditions.

Impact

• Praised for addressing family memory, community struggles, and cultural resilience.
• Received widespread appreciation from the Sikh community and her upbringing circles in Glasgow.

Background

• Studied jewellery making and applied art, leading to her interest in storytelling through objects.
• Turner Prize jury lauded her ability to evoke solidarity and joy through playful combinations of material and sound.

Turner Prize Significance

• Established in 1984, named after painter JMW Turner.
• Promotes debate around contemporary British art.
• Past winners include British Indian sculptor Anish Kapoor.