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Turner Prize 2018 shortlist announced: Artists praised for work on police brutality, queer identities and iPhone films

On the shortlist: Luke Willis Thompson's autoportrait
On the shortlist: Luke Willis Thompson's autoportrait

The four artists shortlisted for this year’s Turner Prize have been announced this morning at Tate Britain.

In the running this year are Forensic Architecture, Naeem Mohaiemen, Charlotte Prodger and Luke Willis Thompson.

Forensic Architecture, based at Goldsmiths College, used mobile phone footage of the Grenfell blaze submitted by bystanders for their project.

The group, which also includes investigative journalists, lawyers and film-makers, use architectural models and maps to research issues including drone attacks in the Middle East and the bombing of civilians in Syria.

Patrick Loughrey, warden of Goldsmiths, said the nomination was recognition of the “quality and impact of the innovative work undertaken by Forensic Architecture”. Novelist Tom McCarthy, a member of this year’s jury, said the group should be considered as artists. He said: “What they do is art practice.”

Willis Thompson, 30, is shortlisted for his work in film and performance looking at race and police violence. As part of his autoportrait exhibition, he created a video portrait of Diamond Reynolds, who Facebook Live-broadcasted the aftermath of her boyfriend’s death when he was shot by a police officer.

Making up the rest of the shortlist are Mohaiemen, 49, for films, installations and essays that explore stories of post-colonial identity combined with his own family history, and Prodger 43, is shortlisted for her exhibition BRIDGIT / Stoneymollan Trail, which deals with identity politics and queer perspectives. Her work is created on varying technologies, from old camcorders to an iPhone.

Tate Britain director Alex Farquharson praised the artists on the shortlist for “tackling the most pressing political and humanitarian issues of today”, adding that their work “highlights how important the moving image has become in exploring these debates.”

Last year’s prize went to Lubaina Himid after a rule change allowed artists over the age of 50 to be shortlisted for the first time.

This year’s shortlist will present work for an exhibition at Tate Britain which will open on September 25.

The winner, who will receive £25,000, will be announced in December. Shortlisted artists will each receive £5,000.