The Turnip Prize: Iconic spoof art award opens to entries for 25th year
The competition, which is held every year in Somerset, has been running for a quarter of a century, and awards entrants for low-effort art projects
Last updated 1st Nov 2023
The iconic spoof art award is once again open for entrants.
For a quarter of a century, Somerset's light-hearted 'Turnip Prize' has been awarded to the best 'art with the least amount of effort' - and tonight, an exhibition marking 25 years of the competition officially opens.
Organisers behind the much-celebrated part of West Country history are showcasing the very best from previous winners - with a sprinkling, too, of a few notable finalists, as they look to harbour-up entrants for the 2023 edition.
It all started back in the 1990s, when a group of friends were sat in a pub, and came up with the idea as a way to poke fun at modern art after Tracey Emin's unmade bed was shortlisted for the Turner Prize.
They even hold the annual 'Turnips' - held, naturally, on the same night in December as the Turner Prize is awarded.
What are the judges looking for? Well, one winner was 'a Shakespeare play placed on top of a dictionary' - called 'Play on Words', whilst another was a piece of red insulation tape, called 'Red Tape'.
Hundreds of people enter the contest every year - and we recently spoke to the organiser of the whole thing, Trevor Prideaux:
Each year, the spoof competition attracts entries from around the world and the winner is often covered in international media.
The 2020 Turnip Prize award was announced online as a result of the lockdown restrictions.
Back then, Mr Prideaux joked: "This year we have received a record number of entries, crossing the 100 mark for the second time in succession – 120 in total! We have ordered a second skip!"
1999 Winner - ALFRED THE GRATE by David Stone
2000 Winner - MINSTRAL CYCLE by Jacqui Redman
2001 Winner - NOTHING by Chloe Wilson
2002 Winner - PISTON BROKE by Jenny Vinning
2003 Winner - TAKE A LEAF FROM MY CHUCK by James Trimms
2004 Winner - JELLIED DEAL by Sue Worrell
2005 Winner - BIRDS FLEW by Ian Osenthroat
2006 Winner - TORN BEEF by Ian Lewis
2007 Winner - TEA P by Venetia Hopkins
2008 Winner - FLEECED! by Ivor Prance
2009 Winner - MAN HOLE COVER by Frank Bough
2010 Winner - CHILLI N MINORS by Doug Pit
2011 Winner - JAMMIN WITH MUDDY WATERS by Jim Drew
2012 Winner - THE THREE TENAS by Miss Quick
2013 Winner - PLAY ON WORDS by Percy Long-Prong
2014 Winner - EWE KIP by Drunken Shepherd
2015 Winner - DISMAL AND by Bonksy
2016 Winner - POLE DARK by Plumbsky
2017 Winner - PULLED PORK by Crispy Bacon
2018 Winner - COLLYWOBBLES by Stroke Me
2019 Winner - BUSH FIRE DOWN UNDER
2020 Winner - LOCKDOWN by Herewe Goagain
'Lockdown' won 2020's spoof Somerset Turnip prize, which pokes fun at the annual Turner Prize.
2021 Winner - PANDA MICK
2021 shortlist entrant for the Turnip Prize - 'Glowball Warming'
A green nine volt battery called 'green energy' was on the shortlist for 2021's spoof Somerset 'turnip' prize.
2022 Winner - CUE JUMPERS by Lie in State
The Winners Trophy of the Turnip Prize
2023 Winner - PARTY GATE by Mr Keep Calm
The 25th anniversary celebrations are being held at the New Inn in Wedmore between November 1 and November 7 - whilst entrants for this year's competition close on November 21.
For more about the Turnip Prize click here.