Commuters on yesterday’s train from London to Margate were joined by some unusual passengers, as 20 papier-mache people made their way to the seaside.
The figures, created by artist Oscar Murillo, were transported to the Turner Contemporary gallery by a group of volunteers to be exhibited in this year’s Turner Prize exhibition.
The life-size effigies are inspired by the Colombian tradition of making models to be burnt at New Year. Murillo’s figures are part of an installation exploring themes of labour and migration.
Murillo was nominated for the prize based on two recent exhibitions – violent amnesia at Kettle’s Yard in Cambridge and Oscar Murillo/Zhang Enli at chi K11 art museum in Shanghai – as well as his contributions for the Berlin Biennale, where he set up industrial ovens to create sculptures made of corn and clay.
Also on the shortlist are Helen Cammock, Tai Shani and Lawrence Abu Hamdan, with the winner being announced on December 3. The winner will receive £25,000 and nominees each receive £5,000.
The Turner Prize exhibition runs from September 28-January 12.
