UCL alumnus wins prestigious Turner Prize 2023

Darling, who graduated from the UCL Slade School of Fine Art in 2014 with an MFA in Fine Art, was shortlisted for the prize for two shows: Enclosures at Camden Art Centre and No Medals, No Ribbons at Modern Art Oxford in 2022.

In his winning installation, Darling unsettles perceived notions of labour, class, Britishness and power. Darling’s installation is composed of everyday items, from draped hazard tape and lever arch files filled with concrete to tattered Union Jack bunting and contorted crowd control barriers.

Darling predominantly works in sculpture, installation, video, drawing, sound, text and performance, to explore and reimagine the everyday technologies that represent how we live.

Mary Evans, Director of the UCL Slade School of Fine Art, said: “I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to Jesse Darling for his win of the 2023 Turner Prize on behalf of everyone at the Slade School of Fine Art. This prestigious accolade is thoroughly well deserved, and we are thrilled to see Jesse’s creativity being honoured in this way.”

For the second year running the Turner Prize has been won by a Slade School of Fine Art alum, following Veronica Ryan’s win in 2022.

The Turner Prize was established in 1984 to promote public debate about contemporary British art and has since become one of the best-known visual arts prizes in the world. Darling’s winning installation, as well as those of the other shortlisted artists, is available to view at Towner Eastbourne until 14th April 2024.

Further links

• The Turner Prize
• UCL Slade School of Fine Art
• UCL Arts & Humanities 

Image 

• Jesse Darling at Turner Prize 2023, Towner Eastbourne - Victor Frankowski, Hello Content.