The Turner Prize

The Turner Prize was established in 1984 and has from the start aimed to draw contemporary British art to the attention of a wide audience. With media coverage and visitor numbers increasing each year, its success is not in doubt, but has controversy flourished at the expense of serious consideration of the artists involved? Why did the 1992 winner, Grenville Davey advise future contenders that they would need "protective headgear, thick gloves and barrier cream"? In this work, Virginia Button describes the evolution of the Prize and presents an illustrated year-by-year survey of the artists participating since 1984. Each winner and shortlisted artist is represented by a 500 word entry and at least one artwork. An essay by Adrian Searle examines the impact of the Prize in Britain and abroad.