They are worthy of a mention here. I'm referring to Mark Titchner curiously known as a "billboard artist", Rebecca Warren - a highly original sculptress and last but not least Phil Collins - who I'm told makes films. Of the three - it was Rebecca Warren that most bookies were tipping to win the prize.



When the judges cast their votes however it was Tomma Abts who came out on top. She won twenty five thousand british pounds and of course the Turner Prize itself. I am sure the money will come in handy - however it's the exposure that Tomma will get from winning that's the really important thing here.

What kind of art does Tomma Abts create? Well acrylic or oil paintings actually - abstract art. Perhaps some would say this is unusual considering this is theTurner Prize. It's not known for selecting simple "lowly" painters as winners. NonethelessTomma Abts was chosen originally because of her solo painting exhibitions. The exhibitions based specifically at Greengrassi, London and Kunsthalle Basel, Switzerland.

Tomma Abts has been praised by no less than the Tate Gallery who describes her canvases as "intimate" and "compelling". They also comment on Tomma's "consistent" and even "rigorous" method of painting. In addition the Tate states that Tomma Abts "enriches the language of abstract art".

With such fullsome praise for Tomma around - it isn't difficult to see why she won the 2006 Turner Prize. As for my thoughts?...well - I think Tomma Abts is "OK" without being "KO".

The images or paintings of Tomma Abts are created by the repetiton of various geometrical shapes on a base of rich colour. Personally - I don't think that Tomma's approach to painting is particularly original. However I have to admit that while not being "knock out" I find some of Tomma's images pretty compelling and touching. I have to say that this does surprise me.

Curiously - every work by Tomma Abts is said to measure precisely 48 x 38 cms...I'm told that there's nothing particularly significant about these dimensions. She just likes that size!

The titles of art works by Tomma Abts - such as "Veeke" are said to be simply lifted from a dictionary of German first names! Well why not? It beats just giving her paintings numbers!

All in all I think that Tomma Abts creates abstract art that is pretty accessible to the public at large. This is something that perhaps could not be said about the artwork of previous Turner Prize winners! I base my opinion of course on Tomma's prize winning paintings. I would go further and state that I cannot conceive of a Tomma Abts creation offending anyone - even slightly.

It seems to me that Tomma Abts could become a "brand name" of the abstract art world in the not too distant years to come - recognised by one and all. Alternatively she might disappear from our collective consciousness in a puff of hot air and hype. As per usual - only time will tell.