Indian-origin Scottish artist Jasleen Kaur has been awarded the prestigious Turner Prize 2024 for her thought-provoking exhibition, Alter Altar. Actor James Norton presented the award along with a prize of Great Britain Pound(GBP) 25,000 (approximately Rs 26.84 lakh) to Jasleen Kaur at the ceremony took place at Tate Britain in London, United Kingdom (UK).
- The other artists who were shortlisted alongside Jasleen Kaur includes Pio Abad, Claudette Johnson, and Delaine Le Bas.
- Jasleen Kaur’s exhibition is on display at Tate Britain until February 2025, alongside other shortlisted artists.
About The Turner Prize:
i.The Turner Prize, named after the artist J.M.W. Turner, has celebrated innovative British artists since 1984.
ii.This year marks its 40th anniversary and a return to Tate Britain after six years. Previous winners include Indian-origin British artist Anish Kapoor, who won in 1991.
About Jasleen Kaur:
i.Born in Glasgow, Jasleen Kaur comes from a family with deep-rooted migrant history. Her great-grandfather is believed to have moved from Punjab in the 1950s.
ii.A graduate of the Royal College of Art, London, She has consistently blended personal and political themes in her work.
iii.She is also a signatory of a letter urging Tate to sever ties with organizations associated with the Israeli regime, further emphasizing her commitment to social justice.
About the Exhibition: Alter Altar :
i.Jasleen Kaur’s ‘Alter Altar Exhibition’ reflects themes of identity, migration, and cultural inheritance, drawing inspiration from her family’s journey as migrants to Scotland.
ii.The exhibition, which debuted at the Tramway in Glasgow, Scotland was restaged at Tate Britain in London for the Turner Prize showcase.
iii.Key highlights of the exhibition include a striking 1980s bright red Ford Escort, draped with a giant crocheted doily. This centerpiece plays a fragmented soundtrack of Yearnings 2023, with Kaur’s voice singing to a mechanical harmonium, blending music and memory.
iv.Other notable elements include:
- Salvaged Family Photographs: Enlarged images, printed in vibrant Irn-Bru orange, capture moments from Kaur’s childhood alongside political flyers, linking personal and political narratives, while items like an Axminster carpet, family photographs, and kinetic worship bells evoke her upbringing.
- Synthetic Rug and Kinetic Sculptures: A large patterned rug serves as the base for musical sculptures adorned with golden worship bells, symbolizing cultural and spiritual links.
- Cultural Connections: Materials such as Irn-Bru (a Scottish soft drink) and soundtracks ranging from Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (Pakistani Singer) to Bob Marley (Jamaican Singer) blend personal and communal memories.
- Sculptures and Sound: Remade objects paired with immersive music and soundscapes highlight the strength and resilience of communities.
