The winner of this year’s prestigious Turner Prize was announced in Eastbourne earlier this month.

Winner

Jesse Darling picked up the world’s leading prize for contemporary art, named after landscape painter JMW Turner, at a special ceremony at the Winter Gardens on 5 December.

Darling was nominated for his solo exhibitions No Medals, No Ribbons at Modern Art Oxford and Enclosures at Camden Art Centre. Taking cues from the venue’s coastal location, Darling’s installation at Towner Eastbourne brings together new and recent works in that explores borders, bodies, nationhood and exclusion.

Turner Prize exhibition  

Every other year, a venue outside Tate Britain, London hosts the prize. This year the prize is being hosted by Towner Eastbourne.

The work of the four nominated artists is on display across all three floors at the gallery until 14 April.

Noelle Collins, Exhibitions & Offsite Curator at Towner Eastbourne who curated the Turner Prize exhibition for the gallery, said: “Hosting the Turner Prize is an incredible privilege, and we’re proud to be celebrating art and creativity not just in the gallery but across the town and wider community.

“Over 60,000 people have visited the Turner Prize exhibition since it opened in September. In addition, 3,500 school children will attend via school visits, giving them a wonderful opportunity to see world renowned art in their home town.”

Eastbourne ALIVE

As well as the gallery exhibition, Eastbourne ALIVE, a community cultural programme, is bringing art to the town’s streets and buildings.

The project has been working with young people, local cultural organisations, businesses, and the wider community.

Artworks around the town

Four major contemporary public artworks have been installed around the town, and the project also features art exhibitions, dance and music events, and public art from local creative organisations.

Eastbourne ALIVE has placed the public art and events in under-used spaces to animate the town, transforming disused shops into exhibition and installation spaces.

Positive legacy

This is the first time the Turner Prize has been held in Sussex, and it happens in an important year for Towner Eastbourne as the gallery celebrates its centenary. With support from Eastbourne Borough Council, East Sussex County Council and the University of Sussex, the Turner Prize will bring transformative cultural and social experiences for visitors and residents.

Noelle continues: “Since the opening of the Turner Prize exhibition and the launch of Eastbourne ALIVE, we have seen an increase in the number of people visiting and participating in the arts and culture on offer, with many visitors making their first trip to the gallery, staying overnight, exploring the town’s shops, restaurants and theatres.

“We are extremely proud of the way the gallery’s hosting of the Turner Prize and the staging of the Eastbourne ALIVE programme is creating such a positive legacy for the town.”

Visit and explore

The Turner Prize exhibition is at Towner until 14 April. Admission is free. You can find out more about the nominated artists in our article Turner Prize comes to Towner!

More information about the exhibition, and the gallery, is available at Towner Eastbourne.

For more details about Eastbourne ALIVE, including what’s on and when, visit the Eastbourne ALIVE website.

Photo – Angus Mill