Walters prize evening a surprising affair

By LINDA HERRICK, arts editor

So the inaugural $50,000 Walters Prize winner is all over, bar the shouting (and the exhibition at the New Gallery for another month). Judge Harald Szeemann's choice of outsider Yvonne Todd startled the throngs at last week's gala dinner at Auckland Art Gallery, but none more so than Todd, who came with no speech prepared other than to say thanks and "I need to sit down with a cup of tea."

The other three finalists - Michael Stevenson, Gavin Hipkins and John Reynolds - may have felt in need of a stronger beverage. At the end of a long night of speeches, food and wine (more of that later), Szeemann's explanation of his elimination process induced some interesting body language among the hopefuls. One contender, thought by quite a few to be a dead cert to win, listened intently as Szeemann wound into a thesis about his particular entry. It was horrible to see how the hand of the artist's wife, tenderly stroking the back of his neck, froze as both realised - eventually - that Szeemann was ruling him out.

Szeemann's speech was often hard to fathom, yet he seemed immensely affable, referring to women prime ministers around the world and, in particular, to our own PM who arrived late at the dinner and who he'd seen constantly on television since his arrival in the country.

Abridged, Szeemann said his process of judging - a word he does not like - came down to "I can only say what I love."

"I spent hours looking, then reading, looking again, meditating, defining and formulating what the works meant to me."

Earlier, the dinner courses were punctuated by speeches by gallery director Chris Saines, principal co-donor Robin Congreve, who quipped he'd tried to pump Szeemann for the winner's name over a few beers (to no avail), a chap from sponsor Saatchi & Saatchi (who inevitably tied in art with sport, butter and yachts) and a leading light from principal sponsor Ernst & Young, who pledged support for at least 10 years.

When Clark finally arrived, to warm applause, around 10.30pm, she noted the election campaign had so far been without reference by any of the parties to cultural policy but the introduction of same "would make a welcome relief from GE." Everyone laughed, of course. But she does have a point.

And of the dinner itself, catered by Dawsons? An entree of hot smoked Marlborough salmon and Coromandel scallops; a main of Angus beef eye fillet or roasted chicken shank; and a dessert of berry creme brulee. Nice wine from Brancott Estate, St Hallett, Babich and Church Road. Coffee and cheese was served after the announcement of Todd's triumph but Todd herself rushed outside to have a cigarette - along with inveterate puffer Szeemann.