Tate Britain has unveiled the shortlist for this year's Turner Prize, spotlighting four artists whose work "offers distinct perspectives through which to explore the world around us, and to reflect on our place within it." The nominees are Simeon Barclay, Kira Freije, Marguerite Humeau, and Tanoa Sasraku.
Nominees and Their Works
Simeon Barclay is nominated for his performance The Ruin, the only performance on the shortlist. It merges spoken word with live percussion and draws on the artist's upbringing in Huddersfield and his lived experience of the industrial landscape of northern England. The jury praised the hour-long performance for its exploration of Britishness, class, race, and masculine identity.
Kira Freije earns her spot for Unspeak the Chorus, her first major solo exhibition at The Hepworth Wakefield. Using metal, fabric, and found materials, she creates sculptures that explore universal human emotions. The jury commended the haunting, expressive way she transformed the space through her arrangement of figures.
Marguerite Humeau is nominated for her solo show Torches, presented at ARKEN Museum of Contemporary Art in Copenhagen. The jury hailed its cinematic exhibition making and praised Humeau's engagement with ecological and existential themes.
Tanoa Sasraku completes the shortlist for Morale Patch, showcased at The Institute of Contemporary Arts in London. The exhibition explored geopolitical ideas through object-live sculptures, works on paper, and film. The jury praised the precision and sophistication of the installation.
Exhibition and Prize Details
An exhibition of the shortlisted artists' works will be held at Teesside University's Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art (MIMA) from 29 September 2026 to 29 March 2027. The winner will be announced at a ceremony at the gallery on 10 December.
Now in its 42nd year, the Turner Prize aims to promote public debate around new developments in contemporary British art. The winner will receive £25,000, while the other shortlisted artists will each receive £10,000.
Alex Farquharson, director of Tate Britain and chair of the Turner Prize jury, said: "This year's selection presents a rich and diverse range of work, spanning installation and performance, and with a strong emphasis on sculptural practice. Each artist invites us into carefully constructed scenarios, both real and imagined, that offer distinct perspectives through which to explore the world around us, and to reflect on our place within it."
