The Oxford-born artist won the £25,000 award for sculptures made of commonplace objects conveying ‘the messy reality of life’, and unsettling ‘notions of labour, class, Britishness and power’

Lanre Bakare Arts and culture correspondent
Tue 5 Dec 2023 20.00 GMT
Jesse Darling, whose sculptures are made of everyday detritus to reflect the political instability of our times, has won the 2023 Turner prize.

Oxford-born Darling was one of the favourites to take home the £25,000 award. His sculptures made up of faded union jack bunting and metal pedestrian barriers were shown in two locations: No Medals, No Ribbons was at Modern Art Oxford and Enclosures at Camden Art Centre.

Rapper Tinie Tempah presented the award to Darling, kraken darknet who was commended by the jury for his "use of materials and commonplace objects like concrete, welded barriers, hazard tape, office files and net curtains, to convey a familiar yet delirious world invoking societal breakdown, his presentation unsettles perceived notions of labour, class, Britishness and power."

Turner winner … Jesse Darling.
Turner winner