Turner Prize Winner 2017 - Lubaina Himid

Dec, 13 2017

~The art world’s most recognised awards, The Turner Prize has been honouring art innovators  since the mid 80s. It was during this period that Zanzibar born Lubaina Himid began her career as an artist.

She began work for a variety of galleries including Stoke, Rochdale and Whitechapel. She also curated several exhibitions such as Five Black Women and Black Women Time Now at Battersea Arts Centre.

In the 1990’s Lubaina moved to Preston to concentrate on academic pursuits. It was here where she cultivated a desire to teach about  art.

2017 and Lubaina is now a certified Professor at UCLAN, and she has finally fulfilled a long desired dream. First of all to be nominated for The Turner Prize next to actually win it!

The announcement was declared recently in Hull, the 2017 City  of Culture. Her win is not just a feather in the cap for UCLAN it’s also notable due to her being the first black female artist to win as well as the eldest, at 63.

Her other noteworthy accolades include becoming Apollo Magazine Artist of the Year and her  bold interpretations of politics in the style of paint.

The contemporary art professor fought off fierce competition from
Hurvin Anderson, Andrea Buttner and Rosalind Nashashibi who all narrowly missed out on one of the most prestigious international visual arts awards.

UCLAN  Vice Chancellor Professor Mike Thomas highlights the creative platform UCLAN promotes and how it can reach out to the wider public domain,

“Lubaina has really put the University on the art world map. We’ve always known that Preston and UCLan has a strong artistic community but this recognition has brought it to a national stage. It is a magnificent achievement.”

Lubaina’s work is currently on display at the the Ferens Art Gallery, in Hull and will remain there until January 2018.

The Preston-based artist speaks of her achievement and how it can channel her future projects,

“It’s great to win, especially as so many people in Preston were rooting for me. It will make a huge difference to my profile and give a platform to the issues I want to champion.”

One of the best known prizes for the visual arts in the world, the Turner Prize aims to promote public debate around new developments in contemporary British art. Since the mid 80’s it has continued to accolade British artists for their outstanding exhibitions or other presentations in the twelve months preceding 24 April. The prize has previously been won by Damien Hirst, Antony Gormley and Grayson Perry.

You can view a four minute video on You Tube entitled :- Lubaina Himid :- Turner Prize 2017.  She reveals what inspires her and how she creates her artistic designs.

Lubaina Himid, winner of the  Turner Prize 2017.

^Alex Ashworth.