"Aye" of the Beholder

[Birchy]

Seriously....to be nominated for the Turner Prize, does one have to be a "paid-up artist" or what? If I - a humble member of the general public - were to declare that ones "Discarded Toenails Blu-Tac'd to the reverse side of a snapshot of Derek Dougan" was due a decco by the committee.....am I whistling in the breeze, or wot? Giz some rules Incitatus!!!!!

[sgs]

The rules state that the prize is for 'a British artist under 50 for an outstanding exhibition or other presentation of their work in the twelve months preceding 31st May'. Each year between April and the end of May nominations for the prize are invited from the public. The Jury may add their own nominations and from all nominations a shortlist, currently of four artists, is drawn up by the Jury. So, yes - given that you need to have exhibited your work in a recognised gallery and have nominations from the public - you do need to be a 'paid-up artist'. You might find the article at article 2459 of interest.