A first for Yorkshire - Turner Prize opens in Hull

IN a first ever for Yorkshire, the doors open in Hull tomorrow for arguably the world's most famous contemporary arts prize.
Work by Lubaina Himid: 'A Fashionable Marriage'
Pic: Simon HulmeWork by Lubaina Himid: 'A Fashionable Marriage'
Pic: Simon Hulme
Work by Lubaina Himid: 'A Fashionable Marriage' Pic: Simon Hulme

Leaving the capital for the fifth time, the Turner Prize, is expected to attract huge crowds to the Ferens art gallery.

This year’s prize, best known for its most sensational exhibits, a naked bottom, lights turning on and off, and an unmade bed, asks serious questions about everything from the representation of ethnic minorities in art to poverty and surveillance.

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Having lifted the upper age limit, the shortlist includes two artists over the age of 50 for the first time in more than 25 years.

Work by Lubaina Himid: Swallow Hard: The Lancaster Dinner Service
Picture: Simon HulmeWork by Lubaina Himid: Swallow Hard: The Lancaster Dinner Service
Picture: Simon Hulme
Work by Lubaina Himid: Swallow Hard: The Lancaster Dinner Service Picture: Simon Hulme

The oldest, Lubaina Hamid, is 62, the youngest 43. Two are painters, one a filmmaker and the other a printmaker.

“Yes it is a serious show for serious times,” said 2017 director Martin Green. “But the work is extraordinary and really accessible, and as a show it hangs together really well.

“We don’t have any unmade beds, but if you look at the work it is absolutely visionary.”

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There’s lots of humour, too, in Hamid’s show, including an exhibit from the 1980s. A satirical collection of woodcut figures on the lines of Hogarth’s Marriage A La Mode the principal characters are Maggie Thatcher flirting with Ronald Reagan.

Work by artist Hurvin Anderson at the Turner Prize previewWork by artist Hurvin Anderson at the Turner Prize preview
Work by artist Hurvin Anderson at the Turner Prize preview

Judging panel chairman Alex Farquharson said Hamid, who is professor of Contemporary Art at the University of Central Lancashire, and other black artists were “relatively marginalised in her own day and struggling against mainstream art” but they were now getting more publicity now than they were 40 years ago. “Lubaina has had tremendous visibility over the last year...People are being given their due.”

Hamid, who was born in Zanzibar, is also exhibiting a dinner service, telling the story of slavery in Britain, which she has painted with funny and provocative messages, and images of fat squires on horseback and la-de-da women in ridiculous frocks.

In contrast German artist Andrea Buttner explores themes of poverty and shame, in large woodcuts, showing a beggar stooping over, hands outstretched for alms. Spectators are deliberately made to crouch down to look at images on low-lying tables depicting paintings of beggars that have sold at auction.

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Painter Hurvin Anderson, 52, who was born in Birmingham to Jamaican parents, presents new works and a number from exhibitions, including huge trees combining memories of his childhood, a tree near his studio in London and a recent trip to Jamaica.

Work by artist Andrea Buttner named Yes I Believe Every Word You Say 2007, pictured at the previewWork by artist Andrea Buttner named Yes I Believe Every Word You Say 2007, pictured at the preview
Work by artist Andrea Buttner named Yes I Believe Every Word You Say 2007, pictured at the preview

Palestinian-English filmmaker Rosalin Nashashibi is presenting two films, including one made in Gaza in 2014, showing an intimate picture of life in the Palestinian territory. Her film was cut short when the Israelis launched a military operation which left over 2,000 dead.

Mr Farquharson, who is director of Tate Britain, said the show was “very reflective of where contemporary art is now.”

“I think we’re probably out of an era where the most innovative art takes the most unexpected - and for a lot of people quite provocative - forms, like lights going on and off and animals in formaldehyde, all those examples people know of.

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“I think it’s actually no less innovative for taking a more traditional form.”

Work by Lubaina Himid: Swallow Hard: The Lancaster Dinner Service
Picture: Simon HulmeWork by Lubaina Himid: Swallow Hard: The Lancaster Dinner Service
Picture: Simon Hulme
Work by Lubaina Himid: Swallow Hard: The Lancaster Dinner Service Picture: Simon Hulme

He said: “It’s a really strong year. If I wasn’t chair and was a betting man, I would find it really hard to know which way to go.”

The Ferens has had well over 400,000 visitors to date. Given that the first day of the Skin exhibition in the summer attracted over 6,000 visitors there could well be queues this weekend.

Curator of art Kirsten Simister said: “This is a really big moment. This is the show that’s been talked about for such a long time.

“So we anticipate it will get a huge amount of support.”

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The quality of exhibitions and the high profile of City of Culture year has seen the number of visitors to the gallery from up to an hour’s drive from Hull almost double to 39 per cent.

The four artists’ work will be on display from September 26 until January 7 2018.

The winner - who will receive a £25,000 prize - will be announced at a ceremony on December 5.

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