Mark Wallinger awarded Britain's Turner Prize

Mark Wallinger got Turner Prize Monday in Liverpool for his work replicating an anti-war installation labeling the leaders of Britain and the United States "baby killers."

Photo: Mark Wallinger awarded Britain's Turner Prize

Wallinger's work, "State Britain," reproduced the posters of peace protester Brian Haw, who has camped outside Britain's parliament since 2001 in protest at the sanctions imposed on Iraq and, later, the country's invasion by the U.S. and Britain.

Haw began his round-the-clock vigil in June 2001, and his encampment grew to include rainbow flags, wooden crosses, teddy bears, polemical posters and graphic images of children maimed or killed by U.S. weapons.

Haw has successfully fought government attempts to remove him, but most of his paraphernalia was impounded by police last year. Wallinger meticulously reproduced Haw's weather-beaten posters, photographs and messages from well-wishers for an installation at the Tate Britain gallery in central London.

The Turner Prize judges said Wallinger's installation "demonstrates art's unique ability to engage with contemporary political issues" and managed to "communicate an unpalatable political truth."

Other works on the shortlist were Zarina Bhimji's photographs of her homeland, Uganda; Nathan Coley's candy cane-striped models of religious buildings; and a wood and chicken wire construction by Mike Nelson.

Wallinger was among four artists competing for the 25,000 pound (US$51,000; 35,000 EUR) prize that comes with Britain's best-known and most provocative art award.

The Turner Prize, named for 19th-century landscape painter J.M.W. Turner, was established in 1984 to honor young artists.

Past Turner Prize winners include "Brit Art" upstarts such as transvestite potter Grayson Perry, dung-daubing painter Chris Ofili and shark pickler Damien Hirst. Last year's winner was German-born Tomma Abts, who produced paintings she said symbolized nothing.

The award ceremony typically takes place in London, but it was moved to Liverpool this year to celebrate the city's selection as European Capital of Culture 2008.

The four shortlisted artists' work have been on display at the Tate Liverpool since October.