Black Obsidian Sound System (B.O.S.S.) Photo: Theodorah Ndovlu, 2019
The 2021 Turner Prize shortlist, announced today, consists of five grassroots artist collectives which “work closely and continuously with communities across the breadth of the UK to inspire social change through art”, says a Tate statement. It is the first time that the Turner Prize shortlist has been made up entirely of artist collectives.
These include the London-based Black Obsidian Sound System (B.O.S.S.), a collective formed in 2018 whose aim is to “bring together a community of queer, trans and non-binary people of colour involved in art, sound and radical activism”. The jury highlighted B.O.S.S.’s live performances and their “commitment to community”, including an online 24-hour fundraising rave co-organised by collective members.
For the First Time Ever, the Turner Prize Shortlist Is Comprised Entirely of Socially Engaged Art Collectives
One of the five shortlisted collectives will be announced as the winner in December.
Cooking Sections artists. Photo: Ruth Clark.
In a year marked by unprecedented hardships, collaboration and solidarity are the themes underlying this year’s Turner Prize and, for the first time, its shortlist consists entirely of art collectives focused on social change.
Array Collective, Black Obsidian Sound System, Cooking Sections, Gentle/Radical, and Project Art Works are the five nominees announced this morning by Tate Britain. Notably, there are no painters or photo-based artists in the list. An exhibition of the artists’ work is planned for September at the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum in Coventry, U.K.
Turner Prize 2021 Announces Shortlist of Artist Collectives / /
The shortlist for the Turner Prize 2021 has been revealed by Tate Britain, and for the first time, the Turner Prize jury has selected a shortlist consisting entirely of artist collectives. Array Collective, Black Obsidian Sound System, Cooking Sections, Gentle/Radical, and Project Art Works have all been chosen by the jury, chaired by Alex Farquharson, Director, Tate Britain.
An exhibition of their work will be held at the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum in Coventry from 29 September 2021 to 12 January 2022 as part of the UK City of Culture 2021 celebrations. The winner will be announced on 1 December 2021 at an award ceremony at Coventry Cathedral covered on the BBC.
Paddington station. Photos: mattbuck/David Dixon
GREETINGS, strollers! We parted company outside the Boatman Institute in Junction Mews, Tyburnia, and now commence this week’s virtual walk by heading to Paddington Basin.
Today, as
Diary last week muttered under its breath, the basin is surrounded by patterned paving, al fresco restaurants, shops, offices and homes. It is a very different look compared with its original purpose as a major depot for all manner of goods. Built in 1801, the basin was a hive of activity as boats from the Grand Union and Regent’s Canal unloaded produce to then be taken along the New Road into central London.