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Letters To The Editor - The Turner Prize Is A Travesty
16/11/2006
Image: shows a photograph of an abstract clay sculpture
Rebecca Warren - one of the artists short-listed for this year's Turner Prize. © Jon Pratty / 24 Hour Museum
24 Hour Museum reader Abigail Hadeed wonders what J.M.W Turner would make of the prize that bears his name.
Dear Sirs,
I wonder what Mr. J.M.W. Turner would think of this travesty? Can we really give prizes for work that adds no real meaning to life or reflects the values of the work Mr. Turner stood for?
Have the judges looked at Mr. Turner’s work recently or are they too busy browsing through the dung-heap that constitutes much of 20th Century Art? Is awarding prizes to young all that is important when it fails to ask serious questions of us as people?
Is the current artwork short-listed for the Turner Prize capable of making statements about the world we live in, and events happening around us? Can we look at this work a century from now and gain any insights into what and who we were/are? Must everything be secular, chic, plastic, emotionally and psychologically removed, poorly executed and pretentious?
It is inconceivable how the public is duped into believing that the critics, the judges, and Tate Britain, could responsibly hold this artwork up as worthy of such a prestigious prize in the name of such an extraordinary artist?
What are these experts thinking when they support this below average work? Where is the 'SHARK' today, rotting and hoping to be salvaged in 'The Same Tank' having got another shark to replace the 'Original Shark' from Australia???
Reflecting on any one of Turner’s paintings, we can clearly see his care, dedication and love for his craft. The work is experienced by our souls.
Maybe it is too un-cool for the art world to be associated with values of the soul/spirit in the 21st century.
I am not saying don't give these artists a prize. However, but please do not associate this prize with one of England's greatest artists. Unfortunately, until artists, institutions, writers, critics, gallery owners, and collectors do some serious soul searching and questioning regarding what the Turner Prize SHOULD stand for, we will continue to have displays of substandard art. Someone show me the REAL WORK!!
I am sure it’s out there and not being seen because the art world is blinded by yet another case of THE EMPORER¹S NEW CLOTHES!! Dare to rock the boat and support the REAL THING!!
Abigail Hadeed
Artist/Photographer
Trinidad, West Indies
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