The Turner Prize (http://www.tate.org.uk/britain/turnerprize/) has been controversial since its start in 1984. So it was a tough gig for our Creative Breakfast speaker Lizzie Carey -Thomas, responsible for coordinating the jury, curating the exhibition and acting as media spokesperson for the prize.
Lizzie gave us a brief history of the infamous art accolade awarded to artists like Howard Hodgkin (1985), Gilbert & George (1986), Anish Kapoor (1991) and Damien Hirst (1995). But it wasn't long until questions started pouring in. The first was about whether a Channel 4 sponsorship trivialised art. No doubt an hour long program watched by a mass audience gives 'the Arts' a massive reach. But who said art was just for those with 'elevated brows'?
Then we discussed the prize entry criteria and the way in which it's judged. Most of us thought that the public should have more of a say on who wins the Turner but Lizzie argued that the judges are professionals who really know an artist's portfolio and how it has developed over time, therefore they should be in a better position to evaluate the work.
And finally we talked about the effect that so much publicity can have on artists. Some of them thrive on being involved in a huge PR machine that lasts for six months whereas others feel totally overpowered by it. Grenville Davey (winner 1992) completely ducked out of the spotlight following all the press exposure he had .
Controversy aside, the Turner Prize has been instrumental in democratising art. It's very common nowadays to see an artist's whole collection sell out in hours and the ever growing popularity of shows like the Frieze Art Fair leaves no doubt where city stockbrokers' bonuses end up.
Here's some highlights....
Turner Prize - Lizzie Carey-Thomas from Tim Sparke on Vimeo.
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