Jobaaj Stories
Shortlist Announced for 2025 Turner Prize
The shortlist for the 2025 Turner Prize, the UK's most prestigious contemporary art award, has officially been revealed. The finalists are Nnena Kalu, Rene Matić, Mohammed Sami, and Zadie Xa—each recognized for their outstanding contributions to visual art over the past year.
This announcement coincides with the 250th birth anniversary of celebrated British artist JMW Turner, after whom the prize is named.
The exhibition featuring the shortlisted artists will be hosted at Cartwright Hall Art Gallery in Bradford from 27 September 2025 to 22 February 2026, as part of the Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture events. The winner will be declared on 9 December 2025, also in Bradford.
Who Are the Shortlisted Artists?
Nnena Kalu
Kalu is being recognized for her vibrant sculptural works shown at both the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool and Manifesta 15 in Barcelona. Using materials like paper and textiles, she crafts dynamic installations wrapped in cellophane. Her repetitive process and attention to space result in deeply expressive, tactile art.
Rene Matić
The youngest on the list, Matić is shortlisted for their exhibition ‘AS OPPOSED TO THE TRUTH’ at CCA Berlin. Their work combines photography and text, highlighting themes of identity, race, and community. The jury praised their ability to turn personal experiences into powerful, political storytelling.
Mohammed Sami
Sami's emotionally charged paintings were displayed in the solo show ‘After the Storm’ at Blenheim Palace. Born in Baghdad and now based in the UK, Sami creates dreamlike, memory-filled scenes inspired by his experiences of war and displacement. His paintings are both intimate and haunting, often portraying empty spaces that suggest stories left behind.
Zadie Xa
Xa’s installation at the Sharjah Biennial 16, created with Benito Mayor Vallejo, earned her a spot on the shortlist. Combining Korean folklore, performance, textiles, and sound, her immersive work includes over 650 brass wind chimes and patchwork art that evoke themes of ancestry and the spiritual world.
About the Turner Prize
First awarded in 1984, the Turner Prize celebrates British and UK-based contemporary artists making bold and meaningful work. Past winners include Damien Hirst, Steve McQueen, and Grayson Perry. Each shortlisted artist receives £10,000, while the winner is awarded £25,000.
This year’s jury includes:
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Andrew Bonacina (Independent Curator)
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Sam Lackey (Director, Liverpool Biennial)
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Priyesh Mistry (Associate Curator, The National Gallery)
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Habda Rashid (Senior Curator, Fitzwilliam Museum)
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Chaired by Alex Farquharson (Director, Tate Britain)
Farquharson said the shortlist reflects “a diverse range of practices and powerful perspectives” and praised the artists for “continuing Turner’s legacy of innovation.”
