The Turner Prize 2008 has been awarded to Mark Leckey, it was announced at Tate Britain this evening. The £25,000 prize was presented by Nick Cave. This year’s prize fund is £40,000 with £25,000 going to the winner and £5,000 each for the other shortlisted artists. The event was broadcast live on Channel 4 News.
Mark Leckey was shortlisted for his solo exhibitions Industrial Light & Magic at Le Consortium, Dijon, and Resident at Kölnischer Kunstverein, Cologne, which combine sculpture, film, sound and performance. The jury commended the intelligent, energetic and seductive nature of the work. With wit and originality, Leckey has found a variety of forms to communicate his fascination with visual culture.
The jury stressed the strength of the exhibition at Tate Britain and wished to record their admiration for the outstanding presentations produced by all four artists.