Earlier this month, Artist Jesse Darling has won the 2023 Turner Prize for his dystopian sculptures made of everyday detritus that comment on modern British life. As the winner of the most prestigious British art prize, Darling will receive a £25,000 award. “There’s a lot of humour in the work and you feel immersed in its world,” commented Alex Farquharson, Tate Britain director and chair of the Turner Prize jury.  

Oxford-born Darling was nominated for his shows No Medals, No Ribbons at Modern Art Oxford and Enclosures at Camden Art Centre. They present a nightmarish end of the world environment where government policies have resulted in chaos.

“You have to love something to be able to critique it,” explained Darling about his installations. “I was born in this country and I’m looking at what’s going on here.” 

Darling was commended by the jury for his “use of materials and commonplace objects…to convey a familiar yet delirious world invoking societal breakdown, his presentation unsettles perceived notions of labour, class, Britishness and power.” 

Other artists shortlisted for the prize were Ghislaine Leung, Rory Pilgrim, and Barbara Walker. Based in Bristol, Pilgrim was nominated for his musical film collaboration with vulnerable people living in east London during the pandemic. London-based Leung’s shortlisted piece repurposed a huge ventilation system from a Belgian bar. Walker’s piece in particular was widely praised by the jury and critics. It portrayed the Windrush generation on a monumental scale in charcoal, which will then be washed away at the end of the show.  

This year’s Turner Prize award ceremony was held at Eastbourne’s Winter Garden. British rapper Tinie Tempah presented the award to Darling.