Turner Prize 10: what it means to win

The 26th Turner Prize will be awarded at Tate Britain and broadcast live on Channel 4 News at 7.45pm.

The most famous award in art is given to an artist under 50, born, living or working in Britain, for an outstanding exhibition or other presentation in the twelve months before 28 April 2010. The winner takes away £25,000.

In this atmosphere of proposed and actual cuts to the arts in Britain, this might even provide the noisiest outcome of all. Matthew Cain

The favourite to triumph tonight is sound artist Susan Philipsz whose melancholy song loops were first exhibited in secret riverside walkways in Glasgow. The Otolith Group could become the first art collective to be recognised with their reworkings of video and film via workshops and debate.

Angela de la Cruz, a self-proclaimed lover of slapstick enters the frame with her bold yet broken half-painting, half sculpture work. And painter Dexter Dalwood, who is inspired by news events and recent history, completes the nominations with his collage portraits “without the person there”.

With cuts to arts funding already making in impact, Channel 4 News Culture Editor Matthew Cain thinks the result of tonight’s awards ceremony could have a wider impact on contemporary art than in previous years.

He said: Angela De la Cruz’s work stands for the power of art as a means of self-expression. Ever since the stroke which confined the artist to a wheelchair.

“A win for her tonight could prove hugely inspirational for thousands of aspiring artists struggling to overcome their own obstacles – of all descriptions. And in this atmosphere of proposed and actual cuts to the arts in Britain, this might even provide the noisiest outcome of all.

“If Dexter Dalwood wins tonight then this should help silence some of those voices fond of proclaiming the death of paintingas an art form. If he walks away with the prize, this will send out quite a strong message that – for the Turner Prize judges at least – accessibility of the visual arts is of paramount importance.

If the Otolith Group win it will send a message out saying that it’s OK to produce work that not everyone understands, and, crucially, that it’s OK to reward those viewers passionate enough to devote time and energy to unravelling the work

“A high-profile win for Susan Philipsz might just build this up to the tipping point needed for sound art to really take off.”

Read more – Matthew Cain’s Culture Blog.

Established in 1984, previous Turner Prize winners include major names in art such as Gilbert and George, Damien Hirst, Antony Gormley and Gillian Wearing. It is judged by an independent jury that changes annually. The award will be presented by fashion designer Miuccia Prada.

You can follow it all live on Channel 4 and via our Turner Prize live blog. On Twitter, follow Krishnan Guru-Murthy (@krishgm), Culture Editor Matthew Cain (@MatthewCainC4 ) and @channel4news for the latest from behind-the-scenes.

Your Turner Prize 10 views via Twitter and Facebook

@petermarcus Turner Prize exhibition is as bizarre as ever. My vote goes to Dexter Dalwood - great paintings.

@AndrewSeto Hoping The Otolith Group wins The Turner Prize later today. 

@artinromney2010 I'm rooting for Angela de la Cruz good luck!

@TurnerPrize_SMS susan philipsz shd win! Evokes bridges over the losses wh sound in all our lives.

@RSR108 Just entered Alastair Cook & Kevin Pietersen for the Turner Prize.

Andrew David Currie (via Facebook): When will artists create something that is not a remake of our past artistic glory but create something that is refreshing and new?

Elenany Sarah (via Facebook): I think i'm going to shrink crisp packets under the grill and submit them for the Turner Prize.

Have your say on Twitter using the hashtag #tp2010 and #c4news or on Facebook.com/Channel4News.