Jasleen Kaur, the Glasgow-born artist who won the Turner Prize in 2024, continues to strengthen her ties to her home city through a remarkable mural on Berkeley Street in Glasgow. Created by fellow Glasgow School of Art graduate Molly Hankinson, the mural pays homage to Kaur’s journey and roots, situated near the Gurdwara she frequented during her childhood. The mural draws inspiration from Kaur’s celebrated exhibition "Alter Altar," which featured a striking red Ford Escort adorned with a doily—a powerful symbol reflecting her upbringing within Glasgow’s Sikh community.

Kaur expressed her surprise at this public tribute, especially given its location on the street where she once regularly attended the Gurdwara. She highlighted the importance of making art accessible beyond the confines of galleries and institutions, noting that her own exposure to art was limited during her youth. She emphasised the significance of public art in reaching communities, families, and children who might not traditionally access museums or galleries. The mural, she said, represents not only a personal honour but also a chance to support and uplift other artists working in the city.

Since winning the Turner Prize, an accolade that made her the youngest nominee and winner, Kaur has experienced a "massive whirlwind," balancing new opportunities with raising a family. On maternity leave at the time of her nomination, she now benefits from gallery support that allows her to partially reduce her teaching commitments at an art university. This support is crucial for Kaur, who juggles multiple roles as an artist, educator, and mother of young children. Despite her discomfort with the spotlight, she finds that the award has opened doors that make sustaining her practice more feasible.

Kaur’s Turner Prize-winning exhibition "Alter Altar," showcased at Glasgow’s Tramway and now on display at Tate Britain until February 2025, combined deeply personal and cultural artefacts. The show wove together family photos, Scottish cultural icons such as Irn-Bru, and choral voices to evoke reflections on Sikh identity and communal histories. The jury praised her work for its seamless blend of the personal, political, and spiritual, creating a visual and aural experience filled with solidarity and joy. During her acceptance, Kaur took a stand for social justice, voicing support for pro-Palestinian demonstrators and calling for a ceasefire and divestment from organizations connected to the Israeli government.

Kaur remains passionate about the value of state-funded education, crediting it for her access to the arts and creative industries. Supported by the Scottish Government to study for her master’s degree at London’s Royal College of Art, she worries about the rising costs of education outside Scotland, which she believes threaten to exclude many talented individuals from the arts. She stresses that talent alone is insufficient without the necessary support and education, warning of increasing financial barriers faced by young artists. In light of this, Kaur encourages aspiring artists to explore alternative art school models and community networks as vital means to sustain their practice in a changing educational landscape.

While Kaur has made London her base since pursuing postgraduate studies 17 years ago, she hopes to return to Glasgow more permanently someday. The mural on Berkeley Street, close to the Gurdwara of her childhood, is a symbol of this enduring connection to her origins. She finds it emotionally moving to contemplate how much can change across just a few generations, acknowledging the profound impact that accessible education and community support have had on her life and career.

Jasleen Kaur’s story is a compelling testament to the power of state-backed education and the importance of public art in fostering inclusive cultural engagement. As she navigates her evolving role in the art world and family life, her journey continues to inspire discussions around accessibility, representation, and the social responsibilities of artists in today’s society.

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Source: Noah Wire Services