Jasleen Kaur Wins Turner Prize 2024 for Creativity

Why in the news?

Indian-origin Scottish artist Jasleen Kaur received the Turner Prize 2024 for her exhibition Alter Altar. The artwork highlights personal, political, and spiritual themes, reflecting her multicultural upbringing and family history as migrants in Scotland.

Jasleen Kaur Wins Turner Prize 2024 for Creativity

Award and Recognition:

  • Jasleen Kaur, an Indian-origin Scottish artist, won the prestigious Turner Prize 2024 for her exhibition, Alter Altar.
  • The exhibition explores personal, political, and spiritual themes and was praised for weaving solidarity and joy through unique materials.
  • The jury, chaired by Alex Farquharson (Director, Tate Britain), highlighted Kaur’s ability to integrate diverse voices with playful and unexpected material combinations.
  • At 38, Kaur was the youngest nominee among the shortlisted artists Pio Abad, Claudette Johnson, and Delaine Le Bas.
  • The Turner Prize, established in 1984, is one of the most prestigious British art awards and includes a cash prize of £25,000.

Exhibition Details and Themes:

  • Alter Altar, first showcased in Glasgow, reflects Kaur’s family history and upbringing as migrants in Scotland.
  • The exhibition featured symbolic elements such as:
    • A vintage red Ford Escort covered with a crocheted doily representing her father’s aspirations.
    • Worship bells, an Axminster carpet, family photographs, and Irn-Bru orange resin.
    • Soundtracks from her childhood, including those of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Bob Marley.
  • Kaur often addresses multicultural identity, belonging, and history in her work, blending personal narratives with broader cultural themes.

Artistic Journey and Philosophy:

  • Her works include Gut Feelings Meri Jaan (2021), exploring inheritance and belonging, and I Keep Telling Them These Stories (2018), utilizing archival footage to discuss family and origins.
  • Inspired by Sikh philosophy, she focuses on Miri Piri—the balance of the political and spiritual.
  • Described as a creator of pluralistic and layered art, Kaur delves into hidden stories and cultural intersections.

Sources Referred:

PIB, The Hindu, Indian Express, Hindustan Times