29th October 2003

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University of Ulster lecturer, Willie Doherty, had his work unveiled at the Tate Gallery, London, this week.

Originally from Derry, Willie was shortlisted as one of four finalists in the running for this years' Turner Prize.

Re-Run, a film installation, shows a man running across a bridge from two angles with the images projected onto facing screens.

This is the second time that the Ulster artist has been nominated for the Prize and this year colleagues are hopeful that he can clinch the prestigious award.

Professor Hilary Robinson, Head of the School of Art and Design said: “Willie is a wonderful artist and an inspirational teacher. His work has been exhibited and collected by key museums and galleries all over the world and he is an asset to the University in his representation of the local in a global context. This nomination augments the national and international profile of the School of Art and Design at UU.”

Derry city is a strong influence in much of Willie's work, which reflects the complexities of living in a divided society. Through film installations and photographic work, he highlights the undercurrent of fear, oppression and uncertainty that depicts the Northern Ireland Troubles, whilst revealing a deep mistrust of the journalistic medium.

He first came to prominence with a series of black and white photographs, begun in 1985, which revealed how words can manipulate the reading of an image, challenging mainstream depictions of the conflict.

His nomination for this year’s Turner Prize is based on “the continuing strength and relevance” of this work in addressing the difficulties of life in a divided society as displayed in his solo exhibition at the Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin 2002 and for his contribution to the group exhibition XXV Sao Paulo Bienal, in the same year.

Willie was also nominated for the Turner prize in 1994 and is delighted to be in the running second time around. He said: “I am very happy to be nominated for my work which has consistently dealt with the subject matter of divided society. It is nine years since I was last nominated so it's great that my work is still relevant at this period of time. The work reflects my commitment to living in this community though times of conflict.”

Work by Willie Doherty and the other nominees will remain on show the Tate Gallery, London, from 29 October 2003 to 18 January 2004.

The winner of the £20,000 prize will be announced at the Tate Britain, on 7 December 2003 during a live Channel 4 broadcast.

For further information, please contact:

Press Office Department of Communication and Development
Telephone: 028 9036 6178
Email: pressoffice@ulster.ac.uk