A Turner Prize winning artist has unveiled a new commission at her alma mater, the University of Sussex.
Former Sussex graduate, Helen Cammock – who was the joint recipient of the Turner Prize in 2019 – has created a text-based artwork on the wall at the university’s Student Centre.
It is the first new permanent piece of public art on the Falmer campus in decades.
The white text reads “whisper, tones, vibrate, foundations,” set against a bright teal painted background.
Ms Cammock said: “It was exciting to be asked to make an artwork for the new Student Centre at the University of Sussex.
“I attempted to create a work that somehow speaks of the intrinsic relationship between past and present; the cycles of knowledge and thought that both inform future ideas and can be replaced by them in sites of dialogue and learning.”
As well as being a Sociology graduate from the University of Sussex and a Fine Art Photography graduate from the University of Brighton, the artist worked with young people in social care in Brighton and Hove before her career in art.
The university is the Education Partner on this year’s Turner Prize, with the winner to be announced on Tuesday, 5 December.
Ms Cammock will collaborate with students in specially designed workshops, using the new campus art commission to explore the potential of poetic text, with the resulting artworks to be exhibited during the year.
Vice-chancellor Professor Sasha Roseneil said: “The Helen Cammock art commission at our Student Centre represents a reactivation of a rich legacy of public art on the University of Sussex campus.
“Helen has consistently used her art to give voice to groups and individuals who have historically been ignored, misrepresented or silenced in society.
“It is an honour to host this extraordinary new piece of art from Helen, which we hope will inspire our students and visitors to campus for years to come.”
The Turner Prize 2023, one of the world’s leading prizes for contemporary art, is being exhibited in Eastbourne, Sussex for the first time.
All year nine school children in Eastbourne will get a private view of the shortlist exhibition before April next year.
Ms Cammock was the second University of Sussex graduate to win the Turner Prize.
Jeremy Deller, who holds an MA in British Art History and Critical Theory from Sussex, won the Turner Prize in 2004.
I would love to get involved with the Turner prize I wish i coukd get to a position to.be able to enter but my mental.health n life as got in the wsy so far !
Can you let me know how my husband can enter the Turner Prize .
Why because is living with a Stroke and my husband feels sad for him.
Yours Mrs J Tandy