Turner Prize heads north

It is the first time the Turner Prize show has been held at the gallery to celebrate the city's selection as European Capital of Culture 2008. Work by the four shortlisted artists was unveiled today in a special preview.

The exhibition includes a film of Mark Wallinger dressed as a bear walking around an art gallery, a photo of automatic guns lined up against a wall by Zarina Bhimji and scaffolding with the words "There Will Be No Miracles Here" spelt out in lightbulbs by Nathan Coley.

Mike Nelson has also been shortlisted and is exhibiting his Amnesiac Shrine, which includes a maze of mirrors.

Laurence Sillars, exhibitions and displays curator at Tate Liverpool, said: "It really is a curtain-raiser for the European Capital of Culture 2008 so it really it is an incredibly exciting time for us and an incredibly exciting time for the city to have such a prestigious event here.

"I think it is always incredibly difficult for the jury to find a winner for the Turner Prize. The works here are incredibly strong, all of them.

"It's a wonderful exhibition and a wonderful representation of what each of these artists has been working on in the last year.

"It's a very rich and diverse exhibition, really bringing together the best of contemporary practice today. I'm sure there will be a lengthy discussion before the jury find a resolve.

"The Turner Prize is always incredibly important in terms of capturing the best of contemporary art being produced in Britain and around the world today. It always raises debate."

When asked whether the Turner Prize shortlisted work on view was less controversial than in other years, Mr Sillars said: "I think people find work challenging in different ways.

"There are challenging ideas and political undercurrents in the work here that people will pick up on. There are two threshold sculptures - oak beams at the entrance and exit to Nathan Coley's space which people have to step over. I think there will be a few comments about that."

Artists Mike Nelson and Mark Wallinger have both been shortlisted for the Turner Prize in the past.

Wallinger was nominated for the prize for his work State Britain, a meticulous reconstruction of more than 600 weather-beaten banners, flags and placards erected in Parliament Square by peace campaigner Brian Haw in protest against the Iraq war, but it is not on show at the exhibition.

Zarina Bhimji has been shortlisted for her photographs of Uganda, from where she was exiled under Idi Amin.

A black Hackney cab is also included in the exhibition with a video screen in the back playing recorded interviews with people from Liverpool revealing their thoughts on contemporary art and the shortlisted work.

The film was recorded by Liverpool taxi drivers working with Tate Liverpool.

A spokeswoman for Tate Liverpool said: "We thought we would get some comments about the Turner Prize moving from London but we have not had any comments about it. The show is as good as any other Turner Prize.

"There may not be the immediate controversy as with Tracey Emin's unmade bed but there is a lot to think about. Artists have exactly the same space as they would do in London.

"It is up to the artists what they show at the exhibition."

The spokeswoman for Tate Liverpool said that thanks to funding the exhibition is free and the gallery is expecting around 1,000 visitors a day to the exhibition - the same as would visit Tate Britain.

The artists were shortlisted for the work they created during the 12 months up to 8 May.

The exhibition, which opens to the public tomorrow, runs until 13 January at Tate Liverpool. The winner of the Turner Prize 2007 will be announced on 3 December.

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