The Wright Stuff

I've always liked the Turner Prize. We're the same age for a start, and it's mainstream enough for an enthusiastic art novice like myself to have heard of it in the first place. The exhibition is at the Tate Britain, and it showcases the work of the four short listed artists. There is something quite special about having four young and very talented but utterly contrasting artists exhibiting in the same space - and this year's whale skeleton, gold leaf wall paintings and atomised jet engine certainly didn't disappoint.

I'm backing Richard Wright for the prize. Wright creates wall paintings in unusual and problematic places, where the work will at some point be painted over or destroyed, or where there are elements that make it awkward to use as a canvas in the first place. His paintings are delicate and comprise intricate patterns, inspired by medieval paintings, graphics and typography.

Wright says that the vast majority of his work no longer exists, and that he likes the idea of leaving nothing behind that is sellable or marketable. I am inclined to agree.