WEB DESK
Tanzania-born artist Lubaina Himid won prestigious Turner Prize on Tuesday. She became the oldest ever winner of the Turner Prize for her works dealing with black creativity and representation in art.
In its decision, judges cited Himid’s paintings, prints and installations at three exhibitions in the cities of Oxford, Bristol and Nottingham that engaged with “pertinent questions of personal and political identity.”
“As a key figure of the Black Arts Movement, Himid has consistently foregrounded the contribution of African diaspora to Western culture,” they said.
Himid received the award and 25,000 pounds ($32,000/€33,500) in the northern English city of Hull.
She thanked her supporters and critics in her acceptance speech.
“I’ve kind of won it for them, too,” she said. “For all the black women who never did win it even though they’ve been shortlisted. It feels good for that reason.”
The 63-year-old professor of contemporary art is the first winner of the prestigious award to be over 50. Organizers had lifted a previous age limit to reflect the fact that artists can produce their best work at any age.