LONDON, ENGLAND.- Tate today announced the four artists who have been shortlisted for the Turner Prize 2006. The artists are Tomma Abts, Phil Collins, Mark Titchner and Rebecca Warren. The Turner Prize 2006 is supported by the makers of Gordon’s gin.

Tomma Abts - For her solo exhibitions at Kunsthalle Basel, Switzerland, and greengrassi, London, that revealed her rigorous and consistent approach to painting. Through her intimate and compelling canvases she builds on and enriches the language of abstract painting.

Phil Collins - For solo exhibitions at Milton Keynes Gallery, Tanya Bonakdar Gallery, New York, and his presentation in British Art Show 6 in which he showed engaging photographic and video installations involving diverse social groups. Acting as a catalyst, he encourages people to reveal their individuality, making the personal public with sensitivity and generosity.

Mark Titchner - For his solo exhibitions at Arnolfini, Bristol, and Peres Projects, Los Angeles in which his hybrid installations furthered his exploration into systems of belief. Working across a wide range of media, including light boxes and extraordinary hand-carved contraptions, his work continues to interweave a vast array of references from pop lyrics to philosophy.

Rebecca Warren - For her exuberant sculptural installations as seen in her solo exhibitions at Matthew Marks Gallery, New York, and Galerie Daniel Buchholz, Cologne, and for her contribution to the Tate Triennial 2006. Her works combine a wide range of sources with a strong formal awareness, injecting conventional materials with a sensual physicality to create something wholly new.

With the support of Gordon’s ® gin this year’s prize fund is £40,000 with £25,000 going to the winner and £5,000 each for the other shortlisted artists. The Prize, established in 1984, is awarded to a British artist under fifty for an outstanding exhibition or other presentation of their work in the twelve months preceding 9 May 2006. It is intended to promote public discussion of new developments in contemporary British art and is widely recognised as one of the most important and prestigious awards for the visual arts in Europe.

Work by the shortlisted artists will be shown in an exhibition at Tate Britain beginning on October 3, 2006. The winner will be announced at Tate Britain on December 4 during a live broadcast by Channel 4. The members of the Turner Prize 2006 jury are:
Lynn Barber, writer, The Observer; Margot Heller, Director, South London Gallery; Matthew Higgs, Director and Chief Curator, White Columns, New York; Andrew Renton, writer and Director of Curating, Goldsmiths College; Nicholas Serota, Director, Tate and Chairman of the Jury. The Turner Prize 2006 is supported by the makers of Gordon’s gin, who this year are extending the sponsorship by supporting Late at Tate Britain. Late at Tate Britain is the series of free events held on the first Friday of each month providing the perfect opportunity to explore art after hours, allowing visitors to enjoy exhibitions, performances, music, talks and films.