Black woman artist wins Britain's Turner Prize

LONDON, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Lubaina Himid, a key figure of the Black Arts Movement, was named as the winner of this year's Turner Prize for art on Tuesday evening at a ceremony in the northern English city of Hull.

The jury applauded four nominated artists for their socially engaged and visually imaginative work. They then awarded the prize to Lubaina Himid for a trio of outstanding shows in Oxford, Bristol and Nottingham.

They praised Himid for her uncompromising tackling of issues including colonial history and how racism persists.

The jury admired Himid's expansive and exuberant approach to painting which combines satire and a sense of theatre. The jury also acknowledged her role as an influential curator and educator who continues to speak urgently to the moment.

Himid has consistently foregrounded the contribution of African diaspora to Western culture.

Working across painting, installation, drawing and printmaking, and bringing both old and new work together, her work is both visually arresting and critical.

This year's Turner Prize caught the headlines when the shortlist was announced in early summer because for the first time it allowed artists over 50 to take part. Previously it had been used as a platform to promote the work of younger artists.

Himid, 63, is the oldest artist to win the award so far. She is also the first black woman to win the award.

The Turner Prize, organized by Tate Gallery, is considered the most high-profile prize in the British art world and one of the most prestigious awards in the visual art world. The winner can take home 25,000 pounds (33,607 U.S. dollars).

The other shortlisted artists this year are Hurvin Anderson, Andrea Buttner and Rosalind Nashashibi.

The works of all four shortlisted artists are on display at Ferens Art Gallery in Hull, the former industrial city which is now a City of Culture. Enditem