Turner Prize 2015 winners: Assemble takes top award for regeneration of Liverpool estate

The judges praised the group's work after they were invited to the estate by residents opposing the demolition of houses
Jamie Bullen8 December 2015

A regeneration project to transform the appearance of a run down Liverpool estate has been awarded the 2015 Turner Prize.

Assemble, a London-based collective of 16 artists, architects and designers, clinched the £25,000 prize for their Granby Four Streets scheme.

The group were invited to work on the Toxteth estate in Liverpool by residents fighting plans to demolish houses in the area and were recognised by judges for their work with communities.

One member said the project had been “really, really humbling” when collecting the cheque at the Tramway arts venue in Glasgow on Monday.

They said: “I think it's safe to say this nomination was a surprise to all of us and the last six months has been a super-surreal experience, but it's allowed us this amazing opportunity to start something - Granby workshop - which we hope will live on for a very, very, very long time."

After the prize was awarded, judges said: "After intensive debate the jury awarded the prize to assemble who work in tandem with communities, such as those in Granby Street, to realise a ground up approach to regeneration, city planning and development in opposition to corporate gentrification.

"They draw on long traditions of artistic and collective initiatives that experiment in art, design and architecture.

"In doing so they offer alternative models to how societies can work. The long term collaboration between Granby Four Streets and assemble shows the importance of artistic practice being able to drive and shape urgent issues."

Plans are now under way to sell a number of pieces including fire places, tables and chairs used in the exhibition to help finance the project.

Assemble beat three female nominees to the top prize with Bonnie Camplin, Janice Kerbel and Nicole Wermers each leaving with a £5,000 cheque.

British artist Ms Camplin created an interactive work, The Military Industrial Complex, that featured large TVs, books and a photocopier.

While London-based Canadian artist Ms Kerbel created DOUG, a musical piece and Ms Wermer was also nominated for her installation Infrastruktur, which comprised a series of chairs with fur coats sewn on top.

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