A garden gate with a party hat attached to the top – named ‘Party gate’ – has been announced by judges as the winner of Somerset’s 2023 Turnip Prize this week.
The awards are organised by a Wedmore pub each year as a parody of the world-famous Turner Prize. The prize is awarded to the person “using the least amount of effort possible” to make a unique piece of art.
At a ceremony on Tuesday evening (December 5th), held at The New Inn in Wedmore, this year’s Turnip Prize was awarded to Mr Keep Calm for his work entitled ‘Party Gate’.
The award was made in front of a packed art-loving audience who cheered when the 48 year old winner accepted the prize, a turnip mounted on a six-inch nail.
Organiser Trevor Prideaux quipped to Burnham-On-Sea.com: “I am delighted with the lack of effort taken to create this work.”
Mr Keep Calm, a government employee from Chilton Polden, said: “I was too lazy to take the gate to the recycling tip and decided to enter it in to the Turnip Prize. It’s a great honour and I can see this as an opening for greater works to come.”
Trevor added: “This year’s event attracted 193 entries. It’s fantastic that Mr Keep Calm has won. He clearly has what it takes to be recognised in modern art circles and will be remembered in art history for no time at all!”
“I believe that over the last twenty five years the artists entering The Turnip Prize have created by far better works than Alex Farquharson and The Tate Britain Gallery could ever wish to exhibit.”
The four finalists will be on show at the New Inn in Wedmore until Friday 8th December.
2023 Turnip Prize runners-up:
- “A Eye” by G.P.T. Chat Esq
An artificial eye ball
- “Coronation Chicken” by ChicKing the Third of Somerset
A KFC carton with a crown on top
- “Inflation” by Ike Price
An inflated balloon and pump
