Turner Art Prize Controvesy

The Turner Art Prize shortlisting for an exhibit by Mark Titchner will have boosted the artist’s selling power. Andrew Renton bought works by Mark Titchner, Rebecca Warren and Phil Collins in his capacity as the curator of London's Cranford Collection of modern art. He owns a number of other works by Collins in his personal collection. Mr Renton's choices are revealed in documents released to this newspaper under the Freedom of Information Act. The other artist in the shortlist was Tomma Abts, the eventual winner. The disclosure will prove embarrassing both to the Tate Gallery, which organises the award, and to Mr Renton. A place on the shortlist sends the value of an artist's work spiralling. Charles Thomson, the head of the Stuckists, a group of artists which has campaigned against the Turner Prize, said: "This stinks to high heaven and will confirm the worst fears of a lot of people who already think the prize is rigged. We now have proof that at least one judge has a pre-existing link with some of the artists who he is putting forward on the shortlist. There are no proper procedures for highlighting and dealing with these conflicts." The Tate declined to explain why judges were asked to declare conflicts of interest after the list was drawn up, but insisted that it was happy with its existing procedures. (For full source and article click the Headline) Irish Art