The Turnip Prize: Iconic spoof art award opens to entries for 26th year
The competition, which is held every year in Somerset, has been running for more than a quarter of a century
In what's a Somerset institution - the 26th edition of the spoof Turnip Prize is now officially open for entries.
The judges award the entrants for their low-effort art projects, and now you've got just 21 days to put forward your submission.
If you need some inspiration... last year's winner, called Party Gate, saw artist Mr Keep Calm stick a paper hat to a metal gate.
For more than a quarter of a century, Somerset's light-hearted 'Turnip Prize' has been awarded to the best 'art with the least amount of effort'.
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.
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 2024 edition.
They even hold the annual 'Turnips' - held, naturally, on the same night in December as the Turner Prize is awarded.
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.
This year, the instructions are: "We will be accepting entries for this year’s competition from Friday 1st November.
"Entries should take the least amount of effort possible to create.
"To enter post or leave your entry at The New Inn, Combe Batch, Wedmore, Somerset. BS28 4DU.
"Due to increased skip hire charges, only one entry per person.
"No paper entries.
"No photocopied entries.
"Please include your name or pseudonym, contact phone number and the title of your entry."
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
You have until November 21 to get your entries in.
These will then be judged two days later - before the winner being announced at the New Inn at Wedmore on December 3rd.
For more about the Turnip Prize click here.
Read more: The Turnips: Party Gate announced as Prize's 25th anniversary winner