Two decades of shocking Britart.

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It’s a credit to the state of British art that the Turner Prize judges manage to find “controversial” artists to shortlist every year. Over the 20 years of its history we’ve seen vibrant and diverse home-grown art gain international acclaim, while here it’s regularly scorned by an often condescending press that seems resistant to change. But it would be a mistake to assume that this isn’t part of the organisers’ master plan.

The Turner Prize: Twenty Years chronicles and contextualises its place within the art world and British culture. Offering insight into the only fine art prize to have won a place in our national consciousness, it tells how the Turner has always sought to be “nourished by media attention”, how it aims to inspire art debate within a wider audience and how it can be both the best and worst thing for a nominee.

In essays about each of the 60-plus featured artists it captures a snapshot of our recent art history, as well as offering a good entry point for the baffled viewer.

If debate about art uncovers a questioning of what we most value, it’s certainly hard to deny that something about our society is reflected in this book. If you’ve ever found yourself on the bus wondering what relevance Damien Hirst’s cow carcasses or Chris Ofili’s elephant pooh paintings have, then this might be one for your Christmas list. Rowan Kerek 07 November 03

The Turner Prize: Twenty Years by Virginia Button is out now, published by Tate Publishing.

useful link: tate: turner prize 20 years