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Turner Prize History

IntroductionHistory of the PrizeArtists 1984 - 2005People's Poll
The CriticsCartoonsFAQsIssuesQuizRecent Years

1984 - 1990  |  1991 - 1996  |  1997 - 2001  |  2002 - 2005

1991

'.had this show not been connected with the hype generated by the Turner Prize and simply called 'Four Young Contemporaries', I think we would all have been impressed.'

Richard Dorment Daily Telegraph 27 November 1991

The £20,000 game of charades Tim Hilton Guardian 26 November 1991

1992

'Two cheers for the Turner Prize: the wrong artist may have won this year but it's time we stopped knocking Britain's richest art prize.'

Richard Dorment Daily Telegraph 26 November 1992

'The annual farce of the Turner Prize is now as inevitable in November as is the pantomime at Christmas.'

Brian Sewell Evening Standard 19 November 1992

The impossibility of judging the Turner Prize Philip Hensher Guardian 24 November 1992
Rank outsider in late run to scoop prize Joanna Coles Guardian 25 November 1992
Interesting artist but a boring winner Philip Hensher Guardian 25 November 1992
The judges' verdict Sarah Kent Guardian 25 November 1992

1993

'Knocking modern art, as hard and frequently as possible, is fast becoming a national media pastime. .. Focusing on what artists do, they never bother to ask themselves why. It is enough to wax apoplectic over an unpredictable choice of material.'

Richard Cork The Times 23 November 1993

'Another spectacular own-goal has been applauded by the judges as a sign of their startling vision and artistic insight. And all those poor fools standing bewildered in the terraces are, once again, being dismissed as yobbos, who don't understand what the game is about.'

Frances Hubbard Daily Express 26 November 1993

Sharpening knives greet Turner nominees Rachel Barnes Guardian 21 July 1993
Award for 'worst artist' shown to be hoax John Ezard Guardian 31 August 1993
Whiteread wins best - and worst - artist awards Guardian 24 November 1993
Whiteread's House to be demolished Guardian 24 November 1993
Ups and downs for art House Mike Ellison Guardian 25 November 1993
Why Whiteread's House matters Deyan Sudjic Guardian 25 November 1993

1994

'This year's crop of artists is the most meagre yet, so feeble with their dismal videos, dull sculpture and useless pretty boxes.'

Brian Sewell Evening Standard 17 November 1994

'I hope the Turner Prize will continue to rouse fierce opinions, for and against. With art, it should be a question of loving or hating: there are no tasteful grey areas.'

Richard Dorment Daily Telegraph 1994

James Hall on Nicholas Serota's vision for Tate Guardian 24 January 1994
Antony Gormley favourite for Turner Prize Louise Jury Guardian 20 July 1994
1994 show is worthy but dull James Hall Guardian 20 July 1994
Students protest as Turner winner unveiled Mike Ellison Guardian 23 November 1994
James Hall on Antony Gormley's 1994 victory Guardian 24 November 1994

1995

'It may be accused of being élitist and unrepresentative but the Turner Prize . makes contemporary art a hot debate once a year.'

Adrian Turpin Independent 26 November 1995

'.that's the problem of the prize, it treats peoples lives as a sporting event and has rather sinister gladiatorial overtones.'

Antony Gormley Art Newspaper November 1995

Turner Prize can't be faulted when it comes to generating publicity
James Hall Guardian 3 June 1995
Damien Hirst tipped for 1995 prize Mike Ellison Guardian 13 July 1995
Would it be so terrible if a painter won the Turner Prize? Guardian 13 July 1995
Hirst wins after second attempt Mike Ellison Guardian 29 November 1995

1996

'But we should celebrate the fact that the Turner shortlist this year does fail to shock. If the fashion for unshocking shortlists catches on, perhaps we will remember that art can raise more reactions than simple surprise.'

Natasha Walter Guardian 28 November 1996

'The Booker and Turner Prizes may not always be awarded to the right people - but they do sell books and goad the public into discussing art.'

Andreas Whittam-Smith Independent 4 November 1996

Turner shortlist fails to shock Dan Glaister Guardian 20 June 1996
Turner shortlist criticised as anodyne Dan Glaister Guardian 29 October 1996
Outsider takes Turner Prize Guardian 29 November 1996
Douglas Gordon's victory vindicates film installations
Adrian Searle Guardian 29 November 1996

On to 1997 - 2001