Milton Keynes Gallery backs former exhibiting artist to win Turner Prize 2008

Milton Keynes Gallery is once again in the art world limelight as former exhibiting artist Cathy Wilkes goes on show in an installation at the Tate Britain in London as part of the prestigious annual Turner Prize Award. Cathy was nominated for the Prize on the strength of her exhibition at Milton Keynes Gallery from 16 April - 8 June this year.

The Gallery team and a selection of Milton Keynes guests attended the opening of the Turner Prize shortlist exhibition on Monday 29 September in support of Cathy.
Gallery Director Michael Stanley was present at the Turner Prize opening: "We are elated that Cathy Wilkes has been nominated for this year's Turner Prize on the strength of her exhibition at Milton Keynes Gallery. The Gallery team is behind her to win. This is a fantastic recognition of the gallery's commitment to presenting a programme of artistic excellence."

Also in attendance was Milton Keynes Partnership Chairman Ann Limb who commented afterwards: "how fantastic for Milton Keynes Gallery to have such a strong presence at this years' Turner Prize exhibition which is such a prestigious occasion in the international cultural calendar. It gives great national profile not just to the achievements of the Gallery but to the City itself."

Cathy Wilkes' work is arranged in installations - comprising objects from her everyday domestic life. Viewers are invited to think about the associated implications of these objects and apply their own personal meaning to them.

"It was wonderful seeing Cathy's work in such an important setting - and to see some of the objects she used in her installation at Milton Keynes Gallery. Cathy re-uses personal items when moving between different galleries. Most of the everyday objects like bowls and teacups in a Cathy Wiles exhibition will have been used by the artist or have great significance to her. There was the same oven, the same rosebuds and even the famous naked mannequin was there, it was like seeing a familiar face after seeing her everyday at Milton Keynes Gallery! There were plenty of new objects on show as well, so you could read new meanings into her latest installation"
(Rosie Jackson, Milton Keynes Gallery staff member)

Many thousands of people will view the exhibition in the coming months before the exhibition closes on 18 January 2009. Over 1,000 people attended the opening in itself, providing Milton Keynes Gallery with extensive national and international exposure and proving that Milton Keynes is a key feature on the cultural map.

Cathy Wilkes is one of four artists short-listed for this year's Turner Prize by Tate. This is the second time in two years that a Milton Keynes Gallery exhibitor has been nominated; Phil Collins was also short-listed on the strength of his exhibition here in 2006. The Turner Prize has become widely recognised as one of the most important and prestigious awards for the visual arts in Europe, celebrating new developments in contemporary British art. The Turner Prize Award is £40,000 with £25,000 going to the winner and £5,000 each for the other short-listed artists.

The winner will be announced at Tate Britain on 1 December 2008 during a live broadcast by Channel 4. Artists are not judged on their show at Tate Britain - the decision is based on the work they were nominated for.