Antiwar artwork gets Turner Prize

Mark Wallinger, whose work replicated an antiwar installation labeling the leaders of Britain and the United States “baby killers,” on Monday was awarded the Turner Prize, Britain’s best-known and most provocative art award.

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 United States and Britain.

The Turner Prize judges said Wallinger’s installation at the Tate Britain gallery in central London “demonstrates art’s unique ability to engage with contemporary political issues” and managed to “communicate an unpalatable political truth.”

Wallinger was one of four finalists for the $51,000 prize.