What kind of a year has 2023 been for you?
2023 has been quite full on! On a personal level, many beautiful and important things happened. As a year professionally, the Turner Prize threw a massive curveball. Even though it was a matter of restaging an existing work, it took up a lot of space and time mentally rather than being able to focus on future things. However difficult that was, perhaps it was also very important to do that. I have finished 2023 with some decisions on things I hope to change moving forward.
What has changed for the better?
I sought professional help mentally and have been in the position to make choices for myself. I find myself putting into practice things which were completely unsustainable before about my way of working. It’s early days, but I realised that I can’t continue to make if I keep working at the rate or in the conditions that I have done. I am also incredibly grateful for the people around me who have helped me to make those changes.
What do you wish had happened this year that hadn’t happened?
The tragedy of human violence, in which we perpetuate cycles of harm rather than find commonality, listening and peace.
What would you characterise as your major achievement this year and why?
I think my major achievement has been to be able to make a decision that is kind to myself.
How do you think being nominated for the Turner Prize will impact your practice in future?
The whole experience was a challenge. On one hand it’s been incredible to share a work I made with over 50 people to a larger audience, but there has been a vast difference between the response from the public and then the media. I was devastated and beyond angry by how critics could be so cruel, patronising and dismissive about those I worked with and also things directed towards myself.
For me, the response was just another reminder of how things are in the UK and set the conditions, to an extent, for why I am making this work in the first place. It made my confidence plummet, but has also galvanised and confirmed things I strongly believe in, and made me trust what is most natural in how to express them.
