The 3rd Centre of Attention Art Prize

Exhibition: 29 November 2004 to 11 January 2005, Mondays to Fridays, 8am to 7pm at pearlfisher gallery, 50 Brook Green, London W6 7BJ (tube station: Hammersmith). Curated by the Centre of Attention, this multi-dimensional show can be seen in a number of lights; as an art prize, a group show, an installation, a spectator participation performance, a celebration of democracy and idealism and a critique of democracy and idealism. Trawling the art halls of London it occurred to us that the public provides a neat foil or a natural check and balance to idealismists of art… the popular audience may temper the self righteous and the unaccountable ideologues of their more extreme and flawed idealism. Uniquely the Centre of Attention art prize of one Euro goes to the artist who receives the most votes from the visiting and viewing public, recognising that artists compete against one another for resources, for prestige and for attention. All artists nominated have a London connection: living, working or having studied in the city. The artists shortlisted for the third Centre of Attention prize were: Al + Al, Chris Aldgate and Lee Johnson, Isobel Brown, Helena Kvarnström, Thomson and Craighea