Banksy to Win Turnip Prize
Banksy to Win Turnip Prize
Banksy to Win Turnip PrizeBanksy may have won numerous awards but it appears there is one special prize he is keen on.The grafitti artist has submitted an entry to satirical Somerset competition the Turnip Prize entitled: This Is Just Another Publicity Stunt and hopes to win the honour which recognises lack of effort and quality.Banksy's entry was left outside the front door of Trevor Prideaux, the Turnip Prize organiser, and enquiries were quickly made to ensure the authenticity of the work which depicts a placard emblazoned with the title.Mr Prideaux told the Somerset Standard that the Turnip Prize that Banksy has been a follower of the country's worst art accolade for a number of years and is serious about taking the prize.If Banksy does win the award then he will find himself in the same company as 2007 victor Bracey Vermin who bagged the top gong with Tea P, a group of teabags arranged to resemble the letter P.The Turnip Prize was founded twelve years ago in response to the apparent pomposity of the Turner Prize and the trophy consists of a turnip mounted on a six inch rusty nail.While the Turnip Prize might be out of Banksy's reach because it displays too much effort at least his film Exit through the Gift Shop is in the running for the 2011 Oscars in the best documentary category.The film has been named on the long list of 15 titles that will be reduced to five in time for the nominations early next year.Exit ThroughThe Gift Shop recently won a top prize at the Grierson Trust awards, an annual event held at the BFI Southbank which commemorates Scottish documentary maker John Grierson.Banksy said: "This is a very proud moment for me. I've always dreamt of winning a Grierson Award ever since I first heard about them two weeks ago."Bristol's Short Film Festival is set to show an animation which could hold some answers regarding Banksy's identity.Liz Harkman, managing director, said: "Banksy is obviously very big in Bristol and always has been - it's his home town. We have a small animation within a programme called Canimation which does reveal something, but it might not be what you expect."A major influence on Banksy, the Canadian artist Richard Hambleton, known as the "Godfather of Street Art", will be embarking on an incredibly rare touring exhibition starting in November.