Her work was praised by judges at the Turner Prize, who said she created “really compelling sculptures and drawings that could only be made by Nnena.”
Jury chairman and Tate Britain director Alex Farquharson said her drawings had “a beautiful intricacy to them” and “look like swirling vortexes.”
Charlotte Hollinshead, who has worked with Kalu for 25 years, said on stage at the ceremony that the win was seismic and had “broken a very stubborn glass ceiling.”
Not everyone felt the same way.
Waldemar Januszcack, the chief art critic for the Sunday Times, described Kalu’s work as “up there with the worst art I have seen at the Turner” and accused judges of “virtue signalling”.
Gibson responded: “It’s just so narrow-minded but it’s to be expected. The Turner Prize is always criticised.
“It’s almost part of its job to invite controversy, discussion and debate.”
While opinions on the work vary, those at Project Ability are simply getting on with helping artists like Nnena Kalu, Andrew and Kendal fulfil their potential.
In Andrew’s case, that includes a new goal.
Asked if he could win the Turner Prize next, he replied: “I can do it. Anyone can do it.”