Simon Starling wins the Turner Prize 2005

Press release: 5 December 2005

The Turner Prize 2005 has been awarded to Simon Starling, it was announced at Tate Britain this evening. The £25,000 prize, sponsored by the makers of Gordon’s gin, was presented by Culture Minister David Lammy. With Gordon’s support 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.

Simon Starling was shortlisted for his exhibitions at The Modern Institute, Glasgow and the Fundació Joan Miró, Barcelona. He transforms and reframes existing objects using a rigorous process of research to develop his sculptural installations. The jury admired his unique ability to create poetic narratives which draw together a wide range of cultural, political and historical references.

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.

Simon Starling, Installation view, Turner Prize 2005 exhibition

英国最重要的当代艺术大奖特纳艺术奖日前揭晓，装置艺术家西蒙·斯塔林Simon Starling以重组及改造一些循环再用的物件，赢得英国本年度的特纳艺术大奖（上图）。特纳艺术奖是世界现代艺术领域相当著名的奖项，它的目的就是鼓励现代艺术和年轻艺术家的发展。

斯塔林说，把一件物件或物质改造成另一样东西的过程让他非常兴奋，当中包括本质、技术以及成本的计算。他在解释他的“船屋”的设计时说，这是有关移动建筑的设计。这所“船屋”先从一艘船改造成为一间小屋，让它像小艇涉水莱茵河后再把它还原成一间真正的小屋。他的其他作品包括电动脚踏车，这是由他亲手建造的，他更用它横渡了西班牙的沙漠地带。脚踏车制造出来的水当时被他用来绘制一副仙人掌画。