LONDON (REUTERS).- Berlin-based Susan Philipsz, whose artworks center around recordings of her voice singing folk songs in public spaces, is one of the four nominees for Britain's top art award.

The Turner Prize, awarded to British artists under the age of 50 for an outstanding exhibition or other presentation, is handed out annually and traditionally attracts popular debate about the nature and role of art.

Philipsz, 44, was nominated for presentations of her work at the International Festival of Visual Art in her native Glasgow and in Mirrors at the Museo de Arte Contemporanea de Vigo in Spain.

"Whether encountered in a stairwell, supermarket or on a promenade, the artist's voice interjects through the ambient noises of the everyday, often eliciting collective and subjective recollections or meditative introspection," Tate Britain, which runs the Turner, said on Tuesday.

Also on the shortlist is the Otolith Group comprising Anjalika Sagar, 42 and Kodwo Eshun, 44, who both live and work in London.

The writers and curators investigate "overlooked histories ... in order to reopen the potential of our relation to the present and the future."

They were nominated for "A Long Time Between Suns" at Gasworks and The Showroom.

Angela de la Cruz, 45, was shortlisted for her solo show "After" at Camden Arts Center, and Dexter Dalwood, 49, for a solo exhibition at Tate St. Ives.

Previous winners include Antony Gormley, Damien Hirst and Chris Ofili.

The four nominees each present a work at Tate Britain in London for an exhibition which opens on October 4. The winner, who receives a check for 25,000 pounds ($38,000), is announced on December 6.

(Reporting by Mike Collett-White)