Peterborough Artist Rene Matić Shortlisted for Turner Prize 2025

A Peterborough-based artist has emerged as a rising voice on the Turner Prize shortlist, marking a milestone for the competition's younger generation. Rene Matić, 28, is among the finalists announced for the 2025 prize.

The Turner Prize recognises outstanding contemporary exhibitions and presentations, and this year the show is hosted at Cartwright Hall in Bradford. Matić's practice blends sound, photography and textile installation to explore identity, relationships and political hypocrisy.

The nomination is seen as a major milestone for Matić, who explains that living between multiple cultures and identities informs their art and that moments of interruption are a key driver in their work.

They said the nomination feels like a real dream come true and represents a long-held aspiration to present work on a national stage.

The Turner Prize prize money stands at £25,000, and the winner will be announced on December 9.

The artist grew up in Peterborough, a multicultural city where more than 100 languages are spoken, a background Matić says enriches their practice while presenting its challenges.

As the prize season moves toward the December 9 reveal, Matić continues to present new work and engage audiences across the country.

Expert comment: Critics note that Matić’s nomination signals a broadening of major prizes to include diverse voices and cross-disciplinary approaches. The artist’s work invites fresh discussions about identity and power in modern life.

Summary: Matić's Turner Prize shortlist marks a milestone for young, mixed-heritage artists. Their practice blends sound, photography and textiles to explore identity and hypocrisy, challenging traditional art norms. The winner will be revealed on December 9, with a £25,000 prize at stake.

Turner Prize recognition is expanding to include younger, more diverse voices, with Rene Matić at the forefront. BBC coverage