A British Nigerian artist who produces large-scale draped sculptures and vortex-like circular drawings has become the first person with a learning disability to claim the Turner Prize, one of contemporary art’s most prestigious accolades.

Glasgow-born Nnena Kalu, is a learning-disabled artist with autism and limited verbal communication, was awarded the prize — previously won by prominent figures like Damien Hirst and filmmaker Steve McQueen — at a ceremony in Bradford, UK, on Tuesday.

Kalu took the stage and was joined by two representatives from ActionSpace, a charity whose studio appointed her as resident artist more than 25 years ago.

Addressing the audience on the 59-year-old’s behalf, the London-based organization’s head of artist development and Kalu’s studio manager, Charlotte H

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