This years Turner Prize winner was announced yesterday, and what seems to be much to everyone’s approval!

The winner is 49 year old Richard Wright, who opted for a more tradition fresco-technique style painting adorned with gold leaf. He was awarded his £25,000 prize by Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy at Tate Britain in London.

The work is truly stunning. He painted directly onto the wall in the Tate, which means once the show is over, so to will be the painting, only to remain in memory (and photography). The artist feels that this makes his work much more valuable, obviously not in the economic sense. Which is actually a quite refreshing within the current state of the art world. The Turner prize is notorious for causing controversy and dispute amongst the general public, although this year the public seem to be backing the judges decision. I think it comes down to the evident display of skilled craftsmanship in Wright’s work, whereas in other years the ‘talent’ and meaning of a piece has been a little harder to grasp by the public.

I have to say this is one of my favourite aspects of the Turner Prize, the ability to make everyone an art critic, even for a day. Whether you are fully accomplished in art history, or can just about name that man who painted the Mona Lisa, you will have an opinion on the Turner Prize. It’s like a small door that opens once a year inviting people of all statuses and cultures into the ‘high art’ world, and inciting discussion.

Though it is a superb display of technical ability, I feel it’s true strength is in it’s limited lifespan. I question if the same piece in a less prestigious setting would still be as appreciated? The ‘throw-away’ premise of the work shares direct connection to street art. His message of beauty to be observed before its gone would have no stronger setting then that of the urban environment, so if Wright had created this piece illegally somewhere around town on a white wall I wonder if it would have the same public backing.

For those who haven’t already, I encourage everyone to go check out the exhibition and become an art critic for the day!

here are the details:
Turner Prize 2009 exhibition will be at Tate Britain 6 October 2009 to 3 January 2010.

Also check out Richard Wright talking about his piece here