Susan Philipsz wins Turner Prize

Susan Philipsz's prize-winning installation

Berlin-based sound artist Susan Philipz has won this year’s Turner Prize for a sparse installation featuring a cappella recordings of herself singing “Lowlands Away” – a 16th-century Scottish lament about a drowned sailor.  She is the first artist to win the prize for a sound installation.  

Philipz received her £25,000 award last night from Miuccia Prada amidst the clamour of arts students who had stormed the gallery to protest against government cuts to arts education.  The response to the protesters was largely sympathetic, with Philipsz stating: “My heart goes out to them. I really support them.”

Who’s going to win the Turner Prize?

Angela de la Cruz, 'Clutter', 2003

The winner of the 2010 Turner Prize will be announced this time next week. Sound artist Susan Philipz is the bookies‘ clear favourite, with Dexter Dalwood and Angela de la Cruz jostling for second place.   Guardian art critic Adrian Searle is backing Philipz too (you can watch his video verdict online) but Leg of Lamb is rooting for de la Cruz.  Her busted-up paintings literally spill from their frames, while others lie crumpled on the floor in anticlimactic heaps.  The artist’s anthropomorphised semi-sculptures poke fun at the heroics of painting.

Check out the other contenders here before all is revealed on December 6…

Turner Prize 2010 shortlist announced

Installation shot, 'Angela de la Cruz, After', Camden Arts Centre, London

This year’s Turner Prize finalists are Dexter Dalwood, Angela de la Cruz, Susan Philipsz and The Otolith Group.  The winner of the £25,000 award will be announced on December 6, 2010.