How Turner Prize winner Nnena Kalu is inspiring others
'Anyone can do it' - Turner Prize winner's inspirational effect
33 minutes ago
Catriona MacPhee, BBC Scotland News
BBC
The atmosphere was electric the morning after Nnena Kalu's Turner Prize win, as excitement buzzed through the unassuming studio in Glasgow's Trongate. Project Ability, a charity based at the studio, supports artists of all abilities, and among their talented community, Kalu stands out as a beacon of inspiration. On Tuesday, she became the first learning disabled artist to win the prestigious Turner Prize, a momentous achievement that has left her fellow artists in awe.
Kendal, an 18-year-old who specializes in large canvas paintings of mountains, shared with BBC Scotland News how Kalu's victory resonated with him. "Anyone can be an artist," he said, "it doesn't matter what they have." This sentiment echoes through the studio, where artists with diverse abilities and backgrounds find common ground in their shared passion for art.
Nnena Kalu, an autistic artist with limited verbal communication, has captivated those at Project Ability with her deeply expressive art. Her work, characterized by brightly colored sculptures haphazardly wrapped in layers of ribbon, string, card, and shiny VHS tape, along with drawings of swirling, tornado-like shapes, sends a powerful message: learning disabilities are no barrier to success. The 59-year-old, born in Glasgow but raised in England, returned to her roots in 2018 when she was invited to stage her first solo exhibition at the Glasgow International art festival, hosted by Project Ability.
Elisabeth Gibson, the charity's executive artistic director, described the first time she witnessed Kalu creating her works as "mesmerizing." "It's uniquely Nnena," she said. "Her action, the sound she makes with the chalk on the paper, everything about it was really captivating."
Kalu's success at the gallery takeover in 2018 marked a significant turning point for the artist. "This was her first solo exhibition," Gibson explained, "and it's a really important festival for the city. Lots of curators come, lots of artists come, and it gave her work really high visibility, leading to other opportunities."
The impact of Kalu's win is evident in the hearts and minds of her fellow artists at the Trongate studio. Andrew, a 50-year-old learning disabled artist, expressed his inspiration: "Good for her. I've got learning difficulties as well, and I've also got Down's. And I think it's amazing what one person can do. There's also one on Strictly Come Dancing. She was an amazing dancer. I think good for them."
Kendal echoed these sentiments, describing Kalu's success as "pretty amazing." "It's a very great achievement for her," he added, "and it shows that no matter what, anyone can achieve their goals. Anyone can be an artist. It doesn't matter what they have or if they're struggling."
Gibson, who watched Kalu's win on TV, shared her own excitement: "We were absolutely thrilled, absolutely delighted. She deserved it. She's honestly such a hard-working artist. It means a huge amount. People maybe didn't take work by learning disabled artists as seriously as they might have artists in a different context. I think it will mean people may be more open to it and not be so judgmental."
Kalu's work was praised by the Turner Prize judges, who commended her for creating "really compelling sculptures and drawings that could only be made by Nnena." Jury chairman and Tate Britain director Alex Farquharson highlighted the "beautiful intricacy" of her drawings, which "look like swirling vortexes."
However, not everyone shared this enthusiasm. Waldemar Januszcack, the chief art critic for the Sunday Times, described Kalu's work as "up there with the worst art I have seen at the Turner" and accused the judges of "virtue signaling." Gibson responded, "It's just so narrow-minded, but it's to be expected. The Turner Prize is always criticized. It's almost part of its job to invite controversy, discussion, and debate."
Despite differing opinions, the artists at Project Ability remain focused on supporting individuals like Nnena Kalu, Andrew, and Kendal in fulfilling their artistic potential. In Andrew's case, this includes a new goal: "I can do it. Anyone can do it."
