Ghanaian Nominated For Prestigious Turner Prize In UK

Lynette Yiadom-Boakye, an artist of Ghanaian descent based in London, has been shortlisted for the prestigious Turner Prize.

A former student of Falmouth University, Lynette has exhibited extensively in the United Kingdom and internationally and now joins artists David Shrigley, Tino Sehgal and Laure Prouvost on the shortlist for the 2013 Turner Prize.

Lynette was nominated for her exhibition Extracts And Verses at Chisenhale Gallery in East London. Her work uses traditional techniques to create narrative portraits of imaginary people with invented histories.

The Turner Prize, named after the painter J. M. W. Turner, is an annual prize presented to a British visual artist under the age of 50. Awarding the prize is organised by the Tate gallery and staged at Tate Britain.

Since its beginnings in 1984, it has become the United Kingdom’s most publicised art award. Although it represents all media, and painters have also won the prize, it has become associated primarily with conceptual art.

Lynette’s work uses traditional techniques to create narrative portraits of imaginary people with invented histories.

Jeff Hellyer, who was Dean of Art and Design during Lynette’s time in Falmouth, said “I remember that as an artist, Lynette had a hugely inventive imagination and a fearless directness in articulating her thoughts in visual form.

“Her sketch books and paintings were crammed with an uncensored flow of memory, experience and imagination that combined images and writing. They were always entirely engrossing.”

Dr Virginia Button, a lecturer at Falmouth University also said, “We are absolutely delighted that Lynette has been nominated for the Turner Prize. She was an outstanding student at Falmouth and richly deserves this success. To be nominated is a huge achievement.”

The Turner Prize award totals £40,000, with £25,000 going to the winner and £5,000 each to the other shortlisted artists. The winner is to be announced on December 2.

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