Mark Wallinger has taken this years’ Turner Prize – not for his haunting video of nocturnal, bear-suit clad wanderings, ‘Sleeper’, but for ‘State Britain’, his recreation of Brian Haw’s peace camp display.
Accepting the £25,000 award, Wallinger stated “It was the best thing that was shown this year, and I don’t think I should be humble about it.” Wallinger continues the precedent set by Madonna, the 2001 prize-giver, whose veneration for plain speaking caused almost as much controversy as the prize itself – “In a world where political correctness is valued over honesty I would also like to say, right on m****r f***ers, everyone is a winner.â€
Financially, Wallinger is still some £65,000 short of winning, having spent around £90,000 recreating the posters and political paraphernalia which Haw had spent five years amassing as part of his protest against the economic sanctions against Iraq in 2001. Will Wallinger be graciously sharing his spoils with his muse? When asked, his response was certainly candid – “What I do with the prize money is my business.â€
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Mark Wallinger is not untalented – his “Gates Of Heaven” in particular is a splendid work – but one can’t help feel this award has more to do with “politics” (I stress the inverted commas) than with art. Recreating Brian Haw’s protest has nothing to offer the imagination, and precious little apart from platitudes to offer what is no doubt referred to as the “national discourse”. But hey, it’s about The War, innit? What might be worth investigating – but, on second thoughts, probably not – is Brian Haw’s assertion that 9/11 was an “inside job” by the source of all evil in the world, the US government.
Anyone for starting a Bring Back Real Art movement? In the 1970s they mounted a successful Real Ale movement to lobby the breweries. One of their leading lights Roger Protz (kinda rhymes with Trots) published a book called Pulling a Fast One. The pubs began selling real ale again, as anyone who enjoys a Saturday night pint or two will merrily testify.
A Real Art movement might bring some real changes to gallery policies, and entice art lovers to toddle along again sometimes. Wonder what the title of a flagship book might be?
A real art campaign? Count me in. I’m tired of just complaining about the Turner. We just need a rich patron who is willing to pay for good art.