The art world has descended upon West Yorkshire,
and if you haven't yet made the trip to Cartwright Hall, time is running out.
As the centerpiece of the Bradford 2025 UK City of
Culture celebrations, the Turner Prize exhibition has transformed
one of the North's most beautiful galleries into a hub of radical creativity.
Whether you are a seasoned gallery-goer or a curious first-timer, knowing the top 5 things you must see at the Turner Prize Bradford before it
closes will ensure you don't miss the most impactful moments of this
historic showcase.
The exhibition, which commemorates the 250th
anniversary of J.M.W. Turner’s birth, features four visionary artists: Nnena Kalu (the 2025 winner), Rene Matić, Mohammed Sami, and Zadie Xa. From towering sculptures made of VHS tape to
immersive "shamanic" soundscapes, the work on display is as diverse
as the city of Bradford itself. In this guide, we will break down the essential
highlights and provide practical tips for your visit before the doors close on February 22, 2026.
1. The
Award-Winning Sculptures of Nnena Kalu
The absolute first of the top 5 things you must see at the Turner Prize Bradford before it
closes is the work of the 2025 winner, Nnena Kalu. Making
history as the first neurodivergent artist to win the prestigious £25,000
prize, Kalu’s installation is a masterclass in rhythm, scale, and raw
materiality.
The
"Cocoon" Installations
Walking into Kalu's space, you are met with
massive, organic forms that feel alive. These "cocoons" are created
through a process of repetitive binding and wrapping. Kalu uses everyday
materials that many would consider "waste," including:
·
Colorful adhesive tapes
·
Recycled VHS tapes
·
Bundles of paper and fabric
·
Netting and transparent film
The Power of
Repetition
Expert critics have noted that Kalu’s work isn't just about the finished object; it’s about the physicality of the process. Her "Drawing 29" series, also featured, employs rhythmic, swirling lines that mirror the circular movements of her sculptural binding process. To truly appreciate her win, spend a few moments observing how the sculptures interact with the architecture of Cartwright Hall.
2. Mohammed
Sami’s Haunting "After the Storm" Landscapes
In Gallery 2, you will encounter the
psychologically charged world of Mohammed Sami. His
large-scale paintings are among the most talked-about pieces in the Turner Prize Bradford exhibition. Sami’s work is deeply
influenced by his upbringing in Baghdad under the regime of Saddam Hussein and
his subsequent experiences as a refugee.
Symbols of
Absence and Memory
Sami’s paintings are notoriously "devoid of
people," yet they feel crowded with ghosts. One of the top 5 things you must see at the Turner Prize Bradford before it
closes is his piece Hiroshima Mon Amour (2024).
His work often features:
1.
Empty Interiors: Furniture that suggests a sudden departure or a lingering trauma.
2.
Shadows and Light: Clever use of contrast to hint at things lurking just out of frame.
3.
Nature in Conflict: Landscapes that look serene at first glance but reveal
"scars"—trampled ground, scorched earth, or menacing orange hazes.
Why It Matters
Sami’s ability to turn a simple image of a curtain
or a patch of grass into a profound meditation on war and exile is why he was a
frontrunner for the prize. His work requires "slow looking"—the
longer you stand before his canvases, the more the hidden narratives begin to
emerge.
3. The Immersive
"Gold Floor" Installation by Zadie Xa
If you are looking for the most
"Instagrammable" yet intellectually deep part of the exhibition, look
no further than Gallery 4. Zadie Xa’s
installation, titled Moonlit Confessions Across Deep Sea Echoes:
Your Ancestors Are Whales, and Earth Remembers Everything, is an
immersive experience that demands your full attention.
A Sensory
Journey
To enter Xa’s world, visitors are often asked to
remove their shoes because the entire floor is a mirrored, reflective gold
surface. This creates the sensation of walking on water or through a
dreamscape.
·
Soundscapes: Large brass wind chimes and hidden speakers emit "shamanic
gurgling" and the sounds of the deep sea.
·
Textiles: Traditional Korean bojagi (patchwork)
is blended with modern murals.
·
Mythology: The room is filled with folkloric figures, dolphins, and sea turtles that
explore themes of ancestral memory.
Practical Tip
for Visitors
Because of the mirrored floor, the gallery staff
recommends that visitors wear trousers or long skirts.
This is one of the top 5 things you must see at the Turner Prize
Bradford before it closes because it represents the "total
installation" trend currently dominating contemporary British art.
4. Rene Matić’s
"No Place For Violence" Banners
Rene Matić, the youngest
artist on the 2025 shortlist, brings a raw, confessional energy to Cartwright
Hall. Their work explores what it means to be British, queer, and working-class
in the 21st century.
The Famous
Banners
The centerpiece of Matić’s room is a large,
rotating banner. On one side, it reads "No Place,"
and on the other, "For Violence." This
piece perfectly captures the ambiguity and tension of modern identity.
·
Personal Photography: Behind the banners, you'll find intimate photos of Matić’s friends, family,
and daily life in London and beyond.
·
Cultural Commentary: The installation often includes soundscapes—such as 16th-century hymns
mixed with modern street sounds—to highlight the "unresolvable
conflict" of belonging.
The Collection
of Black Dolls
Don't miss the shelves lined with vintage Black dolls that Matić has collected from
thrift stores. It is a haunting, powerful commentary on how certain bodies are
"forgotten or neglected" by history. This section is essential for
anyone interested in the intersection of art and social activism.
5. The Historic
Setting: Cartwright Hall and Lister Park
While the art is the main draw, the venue itself is
one of the top 5 things you must see at the Turner Prize Bradford before it
closes. Cartwright Hall is a stunning Baroque building located in
the award-winning Lister Park.
The J.M.W.
Turner Connection
Since 2025 marks the 250th anniversary of J.M.W.
Turner’s birth, hosting the prize here is symbolic. While the
temporary Turner Prize galleries are the focus, the hall also houses:
·
The David Hockney Gallery: A permanent tribute to Bradford’s most famous artistic son (though some
parts may be restricted during the Turner Prize).
·
South Asian Collections: Cartwright Hall was a pioneer in collecting works by South Asian and Black
artists, making it the perfect host for this year's diverse shortlist.
Visitor
Experience Highlights
After you’ve finished with the exhibition, take a
walk through the Mughal Gardens or enjoy a coffee at
the Refreshment Room Café. The juxtaposition of the
historic architecture with cutting-edge, sometimes controversial contemporary
art is what makes the Turner Prize 2025 so unique.
Essential Visitor
Information: How to Plan Your Trip
To ensure you successfully see the top 5 things you must see at the Turner Prize Bradford before it
closes, you need to handle the logistics correctly.
Opening Times
& Dates
·
Exhibition Closes: February 22, 2026.
·
Tuesday – Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Last entry 3:00 PM).
·
Thursday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Last entry 5:00 PM).
·
Mondays: Closed.
Ticket Booking
Admission is free, but you must book a timed entry ticket via the Bradford
2025 official website. Tickets for the final weeks sell out quickly,
so experts recommend booking at least 14 days in advance.
Accessibility
Features
Bradford 2025 has gone above and beyond to make
this exhibition inclusive:
·
Visual Story: A downloadable guide for neurodivergent visitors.
·
BSL Tours: British Sign Language interpreted curator tours are available on select
dates.
·
Quiet Space: A designated area for those who need a break from the sensory-heavy
installations (especially Zadie Xa’s).
Conclusion:
Don't Miss This Landmark Cultural Moment
The Turner Prize 2025 is
more than just an art competition; it is a celebration of Bradford's resurgence
as a cultural powerhouse. Seeing the top 5 things you must see at the
Turner Prize Bradford before it closes—from Nnena Kalu’s triumphant
sculptures to the immersive golden world of Zadie Xa—provides a snapshot of the
most urgent conversations in British art today.
Whether you are traveling from London, Leeds, or
just around the corner in Manningham, this is a once-in-a-generation
opportunity to see the world's most famous art prize in such a historic
Northern setting. Make sure to book your tickets before February 22 to witness
the "seismic" shift in the art world for yourself.
Would you like me to create a custom one-day itinerary for your visit to Bradford, including the best spots for a "curry capital" lunch after the gallery?
