One of the earliest Turner Prize winners today unveiled a major retrospective at Tate Britain and said the award was still a force for good.
Richard Deacon, 64, of Herne Hill, was on the shortlist for the inaugural prize in 1984 and became its third winner in 1987. He said the publicity transformed his career.
He added: “The attention the prize attracted in the first year made a huge difference. And winning also made a difference but it’s a difference internationally. I possibly had more invitations to exhibitions and there was collector interest.”
Of the Turner Prize, he said “The extent to which it has brought art into the public domain is astonishing and a good thing.”
Deacon is known for making sculptures in a diverse array of materials including tweed, string, wax, lead, Perspex and MDF.
The artist said it was “a relief” to see the exhibition of 40 works spanning his career. I still like most of it.”
It opens to the public on Wednesday and runs until April 27, admission £11.
