The winner of Turner Prize 2021 is to be announced by Pauline Black at an award ceremony at Coventry Cathedral on Wednesday 1 December.
Pauline Black is the lead singer of The Selecter, a leading exponent of the 2 Tone music movement that originated in Coventry’s thriving music scene of the 1970s. A resident of Coventry for 50 years, Black will make the presentation at the prestigious event, for which BBC is a media partner.
Turner Prize 2021 is now on display at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum and runs until 12 January 2021, with work by the five shortlisted artist collectives and artist-run projects:
Array Collective
Black Obsidian Sound System
Cooking Sections
Gentle/Radical
Project Art Works
One of the world’s best-known prizes for the visual arts, the Turner Prize aims to promote public debate around new developments in contemporary British art. The Turner Prize winner is awarded £25,000 with £10,000 going to each of the others shortlisted. The winner will be decided by the Turner Prize 2021 jury who are: Aaron Cezar, Director, Delfina Foundation; Kim McAleese, Programme Director, Grand Union; Russell Tovey, Actor; and Zoé Whitley, Director, Chisenhale Gallery. The jury is chaired by Alex Farquharson, Director, Tate Britain.
The exhibition is a highlight of the Coventry’s UK City of Culture 2021 celebrations. Herbert Art Gallery and Museum champions Coventry’s culture, city and arts and is one of the UK’s leading regional museums. As part of its preparations for City of Culture 2021, the museum underwent a major redevelopment of its gallery spaces in anticipation of the Turner Prize exhibition. Earlier this year, the Herbert hosted 2 Tone: Lives & Legacies, the first ever major exhibition in the UK devoted to the 2 Tone music sensation.
Pauline Black, said: "As a proud Coventrian, during our city’s tenure as UK City Of Culture, it is an honour to be asked to present this prestigious prize in the world of visual art. On seeing and experiencing the exhibits, I was overwhelmed with the depth and breadth of the entries & I applaud the shortlisted artists in capturing the sense of community & diversity among us that should be championed in all British culture."
Chenine Bhathena, Creative Director of Coventry UK City of Culture 2021, said:
‘We are thrilled that Pauline Black, such an icon of the Coventry arts scene, has agreed to present this year's Turner Prize in Coventry. The shortlisted artists have together produced an exhibition that has spoken powerfully to our community, spotlighting local global issues. It is brilliant to have someone so central to the city’s artistic life and such a committed social activist to present the award.’