Glasgow-based artist Duncan Campbell has won the 2014 Turner Prize for his film, ‘It for Others’, commissioned by The Common Guild in Glasgow for the 2013 Scotland + Venice presentation at the 55th International Art Exhibition – la Biennale di Venezia.

‘It for Others’ took inspiration from Chris Marker and Alain Resnais’ 1953 essay film ‘Les Statues meurent aussi’ (Statues also Die) as both source and artefact, to pursue a meditation on the life, death and the value of objects. The film combines footage, animation and archive footage, in a social and historical examination of cultural imperialism and commodity and includes a performance made in collaboration with Michael Clark Company, which seeks to illustrate the basic principle of commodities and their exchange.

Campbell is the second artist to have represented Scotland at the Venice Biennale to win the Turner Prize, following Simon Starling in 2005. Further nominations for previous Scotland + Venice artists also include Jim Lambie in 2005, Cathy Wilkes in 2008, Lucy Skaer in 2009 and Karla Black in 2011.

Scotland + Venice is a partnership between Creative Scotland, British Council Scotland and the National Galleries of Scotland. La Biennale di Venezia is an important project that helps build Scotland’s profile and reputation as an international centre for visual arts and offers a significant opportunity for the development and presentation of new work by a leading contemporary artists.

Amanda Catto, Chair of the Scotland + Venice Partnership and Portfolio Manager for Visual Arts at Creative Scotland, said:
“We are extremely pleased to hear that the 2014 Turner Prize has been awarded to Duncan Campbell for his presentation at the 55th International Art Exhibition – la Biennale di Venezia, acknowledging his artistic achievements and the support of The Common Guild in Glasgow. This award confirms the importance of the Scotland + Venice partnership in providing an international platform for Scottish artists and we hope it will continue to challenge and inspire artists across Scotland”.