What does winning mean?
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Howard Hodgkin, painter. Winner 1985
Born in 1932, Hodgkin studied in the Fifties at Camberwell and Corsham, where he immediately began teaching. By the time he was nominated for the Turner Prize, Hodgkin had already become an establishment figure. He was a Trustee of the Tate from 1970-76 and of the National Gallery 1978-85. In 1984 he represented Britain at the Venice Biennale. It is unlikely that the Turner Prize played any part in his receiving a knighthood in 1992.
Gilbert & George, 'artists'. Winners 1986
Born in 1943 and 1942 respectively, they met at St Martin's School of Art in 1967. In 1971 they achieved fame when, with gold-painted faces and wearing their now characteristic suits, they performed Underneath the Arches. By the time they won the Turner Prize they were already big names. Nine years on, they say: "We were thrilled to win because our supporters were so happy and our enemies so infuriated. But our career was unaffected."
Rachel Whiteread, sculptor. Winner 1993
Born in 1963, Whiteread trained at the Slade and shot to fame before the Turner winner was announced with the ambitious and important House, a cast of part of an East End terrace. On the night that she won the prize, Bow council announced that House would be demolished. Outside the Tate, Whiteread reluctantly received a further pounds 40,000 from the mysterious "K Foundation" for being the "worst artist of the year". She donated the money to needy artists. While her Turner nominations certainly heightened her profile, her subsequent career has been built on the success of House. A show of new work is planned for next autumn at the Tate in Liverpool.
Antony Gormley, sculptor. Winner 1994
Gormley was the bookies' favourite to win. Born in 1950, a product of Goldsmiths' and the Slade, Gormley had been neglected in Britain. His body casts had more appeal abroad and by the time he won the prize he had a large international following. He describes winning the prize as "a symptom rather than a cause" of his success. He admits, however, that "all that cheering and clapping was good for me. Making art is a bit like sending messages out in a bottle. You never know whether they make contact.
Past winners:
1984 Malcolm Morley; 1985 Howard Hodgkin; 1986 Gilbert & George; 1987 Richard Deacon; 1988 Tony Cragg; 1989 Richard Long; 1990 NO PRIZE; 1991 Anish Kapoor; 1992 Grenville Davey; 1993 Rachel Whiteread; 1994 Antony Gormley.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments