Namely these were - film maker Phil Collins (...not the Genesis guy...), "billboard artist" Mark Titchner & last but not least Rebecca Warren a sculptress to note. The last named was actually the favourite to win with many bookmakers.



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.

"Intimate" and "compelling" are just two of the adjectives used by the prestigious Tate Gallery to describe paintings by Tomma Abts. When it comes to Tomma's actual approach to her art - they describe this as ""rigorous" and "consistent". According to the Tate - when it comes to abstract art - Tomma Abts simply "enriches" it.

With endorsements like this is it any wonder she won the prize?! In my personal opinion I think Tomma Abts is OK, but for me she doesn't have "Knock Out" impact.

Tomma seems fond of constructing her images by repeating endlessly varying geometric base shapes or elements. Hardly original - one would think however, despite my initial cynicism - I have found images by Tomma Abts to be very evocative and quite memorable.

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!

There is no doubt that Tomma Abts makes abstract art that is comprehensible to the general public. This something that is in marked contrast to some other winners of the Turner Prize. Furthermore a picture by Tomma Abts could not possibly offend anyone save the most feeble-minded of souls!

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.