Turner Prize Announced

Surprisingly, it's gone to Richard Wright, who created a subtly stunning wall painting of gold filigree. The Guardian has a nice write-up, complete with some good video content at the beginning. Rachel Campbell-Johnston, in the Times online, expresses the prevailing opinion, which is a sort of happy shock. Does Wright's garnering of the prize, a year before he would no longer have been eligible, express some kind of sea change in the art world, a yearning for less controversy and more craftsmanship? Or was he just the best entrant this year?

In the News

It's Turner Prize exhibition time, which is always fun. Check out the Tate's site, which highlights each of the four artists nominated (that's one of Richard Wright's paintings above). Who do you think should win? Apparently this year's show is far less provocative than usual.

Also note that the Claremont Museum is having budgetary problems to the extent that all five of its full-time employees (including its director) have been laid off. And the Barnes Foundation has unveiled plans (mostly exterior) for its new location in Philadelphia, which haven't convinced objectors.