Indian-origin Scottish artist Jasleen Kaur wins UK’s Turner Prize

Scottish artist of Indian origin Jasleen Kaur won the prestigious British art award, the Turner Prize, for 2024 on Tuesday.

Kaur received the award for her ‘Alter Altar’ exhibition, which features art made from collected and reassembled objects; and is accompanied by an immersive sound and musical composition that includes her own renditions.

At 38, Kaur is the youngest recipient of the prize, which marks its 40th anniversary this year.

Kaur walks home with a prize of £25,000 ($31,844 or Rs26.91 lakh). The other artists nominated for the prize included Pio Abad of the Philippines, Black British Arts Movement founding-member Claudette Johnson and Delaine Le Bas of Romani heritage.

The Glasgow-born artist’s ‘Alter Altar’ exhibition, first held at Tramway art space in the city last year, included a vintage red Ford Escort adorned with a massive crocheted doily, symbolizing her father’s aspirations as a migrant.

Accompanying it were worship bells, Irn-Bru orange resin, an Axminster carpet, and Kaur’s family photographs.

With the art works played soundtracks that shaped Kaur’s upbringing, featuring artists ranging from influential qawwali singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan to iconic reggae artist Bob Marley.

“The jury noted the considered way in which Kaur weaves together the personal, political and spiritual in her exhibition, ‘Alter Altar,’ choreographing a visual and aural experience that suggests both solidarity and joy,” Turner Prize said in a statement.

“They praised her ability to gather different voices through unexpected and playful combinations of material, from Irn-Bru to family photographs and a vintage Ford Escort, locating moments of resilience and possibility,” the statement read.

Kaur, who grew up in Glasgow’s Sikh community, accepted the award draped in a scarf in Palestinian colors.

She used the platform to draw attention towards the ongoing war in Gaza and called on Tate Britain, the art museum where the prize ceremony was held, to sever ties with Israel.

Pro-Palestine protesters had gathered outside Tate, demanding the museum end ties with Israel and its high-profile donors, Anita and Poju Zabludowicz.

“From where I am now, I want to echo the calls of the protestors outside. A protest made up of artists, culture workers, Tate staff, students, who I stand firmly with. It’s not a radical demand… This should not risk an artist’s career or safety,” Kaur said in her acceptance speech.

Kaur’s artwork, along with the pieces by the other nominees, is on display at Tate Britain in London until 16 February 2025.