Zadie Xa Shortlisted for Turner Prize

Zadie Xa (BFA 2007) is one of three artists shortlisted for the prestigious Turner Prize 2025.

The collaborative, multidisciplinary artist has worked closely with artist Benito Mayor Vallejo – whom she met at Emily Carr University of Art + Design (ECU) – since 2006 to create a practice which includes painting, live performance, moving image and installations.

Zadie was nominated for her presentation of Moonlit Confessions Across Deep Sea Echoes: Your Ancestors Are Whales, and Earth Remembers Everything with Benito Mayor Vallejo at Sharjah Biennial 16.

“Interweaving painting, mural, textile and sound, Xa’s work explores traditions and folklore, speaking to a multitude of cultures,” writes the Tate Gallery, which administers the prize.

“Her vibrant installation blended a soundscape with ethereal paintings, bojagi patchwork and an interactive sculpture of over 650 brass wind chimes inspired by Korean shamanic ritual bells. The jury felt that this cohesive work was a sophisticated development of Xa’s reflective and enchanting practice.”

The Turner Prize is presented annually to a visual artist born or based in Britain for an “outstanding exhibition or other presentation of their work.” The winner, selected by a jury chaired by the director of Tate Britain, receives £25,000, while each shortlisted artist receives £10,000. The winner is also typically exhibited at Tate Britain, with some years featuring exhibitions at other venues.

The Turner Prize is considered one of the highest honours in the British art world. Previous winners include art-world stars such as Anish Kapoor, Rachel Whiteread, Damien Hirst and Steve McQueen.

Zadie, now based in London, earned an MA in Painting from the Royal College of Art in 2014. In 2020, Zadie was nominated for a Sobey Art Award, and in 2023 was the recipient of an Emily Award from ECU.

Visit our website to read our 2023 feature interview with Zadie.