Banksy enters into Turnip Prize competition (From This is The West Country)

Banksy enters into Turnip Prize competition

3:44pm Tuesday 30th November 2010 in News By Rory McKeown

WORLD-FAMOUS street artist Banksy has entered an infamous spoof art competition in Wedmore.

Banksy, famous for his controversial stencil designs, submitted a piece based on the recent student riots in London for the Turnip Prize - a tongue in cheek competition which rewards “rubbish art”.

The framed painting shows a placard bearing the words “This Is Just Another Publicity Stunt” and is currently on show at the New Inn, Wedmore, where the prize presentation will take place on Monday evening.

Organiser Trevor Prideaux said: “This is Banksy's fourth year now. He has never come close to a winner but he never fails to come up with an entry, which is good.

“His work is not ours to keep but everyone seems to love his work and it's good business for the pub.”

Competition organisers have already whittled down their finalists, including Doug Pitt's Chilli n' Minors, one large chilli and three smaller ones on a paper plate, and Sarah Quick's Brief Encounter - an abacus with a pair of pants over it.

Mr Prideaux set up the competition 12 years ago after Tracey Emin's My Bed was short-listed for the Turner Prize.

He added: “We decided to come up with more rubbish art and it has been going ever since.

“It's a laugh, it's great fun and it's good to see so many people wanting to take part, waiting to see if they will get their minute of fame.

“My advice for next year is to keep the ideas very simple and put the least amount of effort into it.”

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