The 2010 Turner prize nominations have been announced: Dexter Dalwood, Angela de la Cruz, the Otolith Group and Susan Philipsz. But how far did the judges, who include the novelist Philip Hensher and the gallery director Polly Staple, take into account the public nominations, which are supposed to have at least some bearing on the result? According to one judge, three of the four shortlisted artists were also suggested by members of the public. But the vast majority of publicly nominated artists were "ghastly Sunday painters, 600 of whose friends had clubbed together for them". Bookies William Hill, by the way, have exercised their well-known critical faculties to come up with odds. Dalwood is the favourite, as "his work is well known and easy on the eye," according to a spokesman. Leaving aside the hilarity of this description, Dalwood is indeed a strong contender, but a word to the wise: the 16/5 odds placed on Philipsz seem a little long to me.
Turner prize nominee Dexter Dalwood tipped by William Hill
Charlotte Higgins
Bookies William Hill are leaning towards Dalwood to win the 2010 Turner prize because his work is 'easy on the eye', writes Charlotte Higgins
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Charlotte Higgins
Charlotte Higgins is the Guardian’s chief culture writer
Charlotte Higgins
The GuardianTramp
