Nnena Kalu facts for kids

Nnena Kalu is a talented British artist. She was born in 1966. She is famous for her unique sculptures and drawings. In 2025, she won the prestigious Turner Prize. This is one of the most important art awards in Britain.

Meet Nnena Kalu: A Talented Artist

Early Life and Artistic Beginnings

Nnena Kalu was born in Glasgow, Scotland. Her parents were from Nigeria. When she was young, her family moved to Wandsworth in London. Nnena is autistic. She communicates mostly without words.

She started making art in the 1980s. This was at a place called Hill House day centre. It is located in Tooting, south London.

Nnena Kalu's Unique Art Style

Nnena Kalu began creating sculptures around 2010. Before that, she made flat artworks for many years. Her art often uses everyday items.

Sculptures: Wrapped and Layered Art

Nnena's sculptures often start with a base. This might be a bundle of paper or cloth. Then, she wraps and layers materials around it. She uses things like ropes, fabric strips, and even old VHS cassette tape. She also uses netting and other recycled items. Her sculptures are usually made from materials she finds. She works very carefully, adding many layers.

Drawings: Whirlpools of Color

In 2013, Nnena started making special drawings. Many people say they look like swirling whirlpools. She often creates these drawings in groups. They might be in pairs, trios, or even sixes. She sometimes draws with her eyes closed. This shows her deep connection to her art.

Her Journey to Fame: Exhibitions and Awards

Nnena Kalu has worked hard on her art for many years. She has shown her amazing creations in different places.

ActionSpace: Supporting Artists

In 1999, Nnena joined ActionSpace in Clapham. This is an organization that helps artists. They specifically support artists who have learning disabilities. ActionSpace helps artists like Nnena share their talents.

Major Shows and the Turner Prize

Nnena's art was shown in Belgium in 2016. She exhibited alongside famous artists like Laure Prouvost. Laure won the Turner Prize in 2013. Nnena's work also appeared at the 2018 Glasgow International. Other places included Humber Street Gallery and Studio Voltaire.

Her first commercial art show was in 2024. It took place at Arcadia Missa in London. This gallery now officially represents her work.

A Historic Win for Nnena Kalu

In 2025, Nnena Kalu had her first big museum show. It was called Creations of Care. This exhibition was held at the Kunsthall Stavanger [no] in Norway.

Later in 2025, Nnena won the Turner Prize. This is the most important art award in Britain. The judges chose her for her work in Conversations. This show was at the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool. They also recognized her Hanging Sculpture 1 to 10. This was part of Manifesta 15 in Barcelona.

The BBC described her winning art. It included drawings that looked like tornadoes. Her sculptures were brightly colored. They were wrapped with many layers of materials. These included ribbon, string, card, and VHS tape.

Nnena Kalu made history by winning this award. She was the first artist with a learning disability to win the Turner Prize. Her studio manager, Charlotte Hollinshead, spoke for her. Charlotte said Nnena had faced many challenges. She hoped the award would help change people's minds. It showed that art is for everyone.

Where to See Her Art

You can find Nnena Kalu's artworks in important collections. These include the Arts Council Collection. Her art is also part of the collection at The Tate.