Array Collective are announced arsenic the victor of the Turner Prize 2021, the starring planetary grant for modern art, astatine Coventry Cathedral, Coventry, England, Wednesday Dec. 1, 2021. An 11-person corporate from Belfast that aims to transcend Northern Irelands governmental and spiritual divides has won the U.K.s prestigious Turner Prize for art. The Array Collective took the 25,000 lb ($33,000) prize connected Wednesday for The Druithaibs Ball, a recreation of a accepted Irish shebeen, oregon speakeasy afloat of references to 100 years of Northern Ireland history. (Matt Alexander/PA via AP)

LONDON – An 11-person corporate from Belfast that aims to transcend Northern Ireland’s governmental and spiritual divides won the U.K.’s prestigious Turner Prize for creation connected Wednesday.

The Array Collective took the 25,000 lb ($33,000) prize for “The Druithaib’s Ball,” a recreation of a accepted Irish shebeen, oregon speakeasy, that is afloat of references to 100 years of Northern Ireland history. Prize organizers said the collective’s enactment tackles “urgent societal and governmental issues affecting Northern Ireland with humor, seriousness and beauty.”

Collective subordinate Laura O’Connor said the radical would enactment the prize wealth toward uncovering a imperishable basal successful Belfast, wherever redevelopment is making abstraction little affordable for artists.

Named for 19th-century scenery creator J.M.W. Turner, the grant was founded successful 1984 and helped marque stars of potter Grayson Perry, shark-pickling creator Damien Hirst and filmmaker Steve McQueen.

Ad

But it has besides been criticized for rewarding impenetrable conceptual enactment and often sparks statement astir the worth of modern art. In 2019, each 4 finalists were declared winners aft they refused to vie against 1 another. Last year’s prize was canceled due to the fact that of the coronavirus pandemic.

This year, each 5 finalists were collectives alternatively than idiosyncratic artists.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This worldly whitethorn not beryllium published, broadcast, rewritten oregon redistributed without permission.