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LONDON - German-born artist Tomma Abts has become the first woman painter to land the Turner Prize in the 22-year history of one of the art world's most controversial awards.
The abstract painter, who has lived in London for the past 12 years, received the 25,000 pound award from Yoko Ono and said afterwards in a subdued acceptance speech: "Thank you so so much. It is a real honour to receive this prize."
Critics lauded the Kiel-born artist with art writer Meredith Etherington-Smith telling Reuters: "They are very subtle - it is like looking at a drawing by an Old Master. They put me in mind of a 16th century miniaturist."
Mark Rappolt, editor of ArtReview, agreed: "They are very small works with a lot going on in them. They are open to many different approaches."
But there were dissenting voices too.
Charles Thomson, who heads the Stuckist Movement that stages demonstrations every year against the Turner, said of Abts "Her work deserves a prize for vacuous drabness. It looks like doodles done by a lobotomised computer."
Sculptor Rebecca Warren had been hot favourite to land the prize with her collection of neon-lit boxes full of fluff and twigs.
But much of the pre-prize publicity centred on Phil Collins who set up an exhibit featuring a real-life office full of researchers wanting to interview people forever scarred by their appearances on Reality TV shows.
The shortlist was made up by Mark Titchner who uses everything from t-shirts to light boxes, adorning them with song lyrics and advertising slogans.
The Turner sparks controversy every year. Traditionalists argue that the prize is a travesty of modern art. But the show attracts up to 100,000 visitors annually to the Tate Britain museum.
The Turner has certainly had its share of quirky winners.
In 1995 BritArt "Bad Boy" Damien Hirst won with a pickled sheep. In 2003, transvestite potter Grayson Perry wore a frilly Shirley Temple dress to accept his award.
Artist Tony Kaye once tried to submit a homeless steel worker as his entry.
Pop star Madonna notoriously swore live on television when presenting the prize in 2001 to Martin Creed who won with a bare room containing a light that switched on and off.
- REUTERS
