A group of Belfast-based artists whose work is a response to issues affecting Northern Ireland have been named the winners of the Turner Prize 2021.
The group, comprised of 11 artists, have made history, becoming the first Northern Irish winners of the prize.
Array’s nominated work for the prize, The Druithaib’s Ball, is an installation centred on an imagined shebeen with a floating roof made from banners created for protests and demonstrations.
Their success was announced at a ceremony in Coventry Cathedral where they were presented with the £25,000 prize money.
Holding a baby on the stage, Array Collective member Laura O'Connor said: "It's surreal. We have not been making work over the last year with lockdown, it has motivated and pushed us.
"I think we surprised ourselves with what we came out with in the end and we are so proud of it."
The group added they were going to celebrate with "a few pints" after winning the prestigious prize.
The jury awarded the top prize to Array Collective for "their hopeful and dynamic artwork which addresses urgent social and political issues affecting Northern Ireland with humour, seriousness and beauty".
Alex Farquharson, director of Tate Britain and chairman of the Turner Prize jury, said: "I think the feeling was that the exhibition had really successfully translated the spirit of what they do, how they go about it, this amazing shebeen you know, illegal pub, Northern Irish style in the middle of a gallery with these amazing videos of performances that were quite mesmerising."
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