26,000 people visit Turner Prize exhibition at Bradford's Cartwright Hall
On average 600 people a day are attending the major exhibition, which runs until February 22.
OVER 26,000 people have attended the Turner Prize exhibition at Bradford’s Cartwright Hall since it opened in late September.
On average 600 people a day are attending the major exhibition, which runs until February 22.
The exhibition features work from the four finalists in the contest – viewed as one of the world’s most prestigious arts awards – spread out across the Bradford Council run art gallery in Lister Park.
As well as attracting huge numbers of people to the city, the exhibition has also given Bradford an international spotlight. The opening of the exhibition saw press from publications as far flung as Harper’s Bazaar Japan.
The exhibition has been described as one of the key moments of Bradford’s City of Culture celebrations and before the exhibition opened, bosses suggested it could attract over 100,000 visitors.
The winner will be announced on December 9 – although the exhibition will remain until late February.
On Tuesday Bradford Council’s Regeneration and Environment Scrutiny Committee will be given an update on Bradford’s Culture is Our Plan programme – which mentions some of the successes of City of Culture.
The report says: “Cartwright Hall Art Gallery, which has welcomed audiences to Turner Prize, has seen a 44 per cent increase in attendees, with more than 39,000 visitors for exhibitions Fighting to Be Heard and I AM ME.
“The Turner Prize is currently averaging 600 visitors per day, 90 per cent adult / 10 per cent children, based on the first 20 days of opening.”
The Local Democracy Reporting Service asked Bradford 2025 for the most up to date figures, and was told that as of November 11 there had been 26,000 visitors.
Installations on display as part of the exhibition include
Nnena Kalu’s bizarre abstract sculptures resembling living creatures and wrapped in ribbon, tape, rope and – in some cases – the tape from discarded VHS cassettes.
Zadie Xa’s striking gallery reflecting sea life. Each corner of the room features a hanging shell, each of which plays a different soundscape. The floor is reflective, giving the impression that the audience is walking on water.
Rene Matic’s gallery features sound, photography and fabric installations to explore themes of identity, relationships and political hypocrisy. The centre of the exhibition is a large flag that features the words “No Place” on one side and “For Violence” on the other.
Mohammed Sami’s paintings that mix nature and the destruction of war, and toy with the idea of memory.