This year’s Turner Prize shortlist features four artists whose works span performance, sculpture, installation, and multimedia, reflecting diverse approaches to contemporary British art. The nominees are Simeon Barclay, Tanoa Sasraku, Kira Freije, and Marguerite Humeau, with their exhibitions set to be displayed at Teesside University’s Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art (Mima) from September 29 to March 29.

Simeon Barclay has been recognized for *The Ruin*, an hour-long spoken word performance incorporating live percussion that draws on his upbringing in Huddersfield and the industrial background of northern England. The jury commended the piece for its cinematic qualities and its engagement with existential and ecological themes through innovative narratives and shifts in scale.

Tanoa Sasraku’s *Morale Patch* was presented at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London. The exhibition comprises sculptures, works on paper, and film that delve into the political and military history of oil, exploring complex geopolitical issues. The jury praised the precision and sophistication of Sasraku’s work, noting its ability to connect historical concerns with contemporary relevance.

Kira Freije’s *Unspeak the Chorus*, shown at the Hepworth Wakefield, explores themes related to the human condition through sculptures made from metal, fabric, and found materials. The installation includes life-size figures fashioned from bare metal armatures paired with expressive stonecast faces positioned in poses described as simultaneously unsettling and beautiful. The jury highlighted the emotional resonance of Freije’s work and the haunting atmosphere she created through her arrangement of figures.

Marguerite Humeau’s *Torches* was exhibited at the Arken Museum of Contemporary Art in Copenhagen. The work features sculptures that blend references to natural species with otherworldly forms, accompanied by a continuous loop of light and sound. The jury applauded the immersive qualities of Humeau’s installation and its evocative synthesis of visual and sensory elements.

Alex Farquharson, director of Tate Britain and chair of the Turner Prize jury, commented that the selection offers a "rich and diverse range of work" emphasizing sculptural practice alongside installation and performance. He emphasized the artists’ ability to create "carefully constructed scenarios" that prompt reflection on the world and individual perspectives within it.

The Turner Prize ceremony will take place at Mima on December 10. The winner will receive £25,000, while the other shortlisted artists will each be awarded £10,000. Dr. Laura Sillars, Mima’s director and dean of culture and creativity at Teesside University, described this year’s exhibition as a significant moment, marking the first Turner Prize hosted within a university setting. She highlighted the opportunity for the exhibition to foster dialogue and fresh thinking through contemporary art in Middlesbrough’s growing cultural landscape.