Turner Prize

Turner Prize
Tony Hisgett from Birmingham, UK · CC BY 2.0 · source
Name	Turner Prize
Awarded for	Outstanding contemporary art
Country	United Kingdom
Presenter	Tate
Year	1984

Turner Prize. An annual prize presented to a British visual artist, it is one of the most prominent and debated awards for contemporary art. Named after the painter J. M. W. Turner, it is administered by Tate galleries and aims to promote public discussion of new developments. The award has become famous for celebrating innovative, often challenging work, generating significant media attention and public controversy around modern art.

History

The prize was established in 1984 by the Patrons of New Art, a group supporting contemporary art at the Tate Gallery. It was created to complement the existing Turner Bequest and to bring contemporary visual art to a wider audience, following a model similar to the Booker Prize for literature. Early ceremonies were relatively low-key, but the award's profile increased dramatically in the 1990s, particularly with the media storm surrounding the 1995 nomination of Damien Hirst. The event's presentation evolved from a simple announcement to a televised ceremony broadcast on Channel 4, further embedding it in the national cultural conversation. In 2024, the prize celebrated its fortieth anniversary, marking decades of significant influence on the British art scene.

Selection process and criteria

Each year, an independent jury, typically comprising curators, critics, and one past winner, is convened to select a shortlist of four artists based on an exhibition of their work from the preceding twelve months. The artists must be under fifty years of age and either born in or based in the United Kingdom. The jury then judges the shortlisted artists on a new presentation of their work at a dedicated exhibition, traditionally held at Tate Britain but occasionally at other UK venues like Tate Liverpool or Ferens Art Gallery in Hull. The criteria focus on a significant contribution to contemporary art in the past year, with an emphasis on innovation and impact, though these guidelines have been interpreted broadly, leading to diverse winners from painters to video and installation artists.

Notable winners and controversies

The award is renowned for its controversial winners and shortlists, which have frequently sparked public and parliamentary debate. Early winners included painters like Malcolm Morley and Howard Hodgkin, but the 1990s saw a shift toward the Young British Artists, with winners such as Damien Hirst and Chris Ofili, whose use of elephant dung in paintings provoked intense media scrutiny. The 1999 award to Steve McQueen for his video art was a landmark, as was the 2003 prize awarded to Grayson Perry, a transvestite potter. In 2005, the award was given to the collective Assemble, expanding the definition of artistic practice. Perhaps the most famous controversy was the 2001 nomination of Martin Creed, whose work *The Lights Going On and Off* divided critics and the public, encapsulating the prize's capacity to challenge artistic conventions.

Impact and criticism

The prize has had an undeniable impact on the careers of winners and nominees, often leading to increased gallery representation, higher prices for their work, and international recognition. It has played a crucial role in the commercial success of the Young British Artists and has helped shape the global perception of the London art world. However, it has faced persistent criticism from some quarters of the press, public figures like the Stuckists group, and even former winners, who argue it promotes conceptual gimmickry over technical skill. Critics often accuse it of being deliberately obscure or sensationalist, a charge supporters counter by highlighting its role in fostering necessary debate about the boundaries and purpose of art in contemporary society.

Venues and administration

While historically associated with Tate Britain in London, where the shortlist exhibition was held for many years, the prize has occasionally been hosted in other cities across the UK as part of a decentralization policy. Notable host venues have included Tate Liverpool, the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead, and the Ferens Art Gallery in Hull. The administration and funding are managed by Tate, with sponsorship historically provided by Channel 4 and later by other corporate partners. The governing body, the Patrons of New Art, works with the Tate director to oversee the award's long-term strategy and ensure its continuation as a major event in the international art calendar.

Category:British art awards Category:1984 establishments in the United Kingdom