Tomma Abts Abstract Art isn't a

In December 2006 German born artist Tomma Abts went down in history as the first female artist to win the coveted Turner Prize. Tomma Abts accomplished this noteworthy historical victory by beating off three other - worthy finalists.

They are worthy of a mention here. I'm referring to Mark Titchner curiously known as a "billboard artist", Rebecca Warren - a highly original sculptress and last but not least Phil Collins - who I'm told makes films. Of the three - it was Rebecca Warren that most bookies were tipping to win the prize.

By winning the Turner prize Tomma Abts added a cool 25,000 pounds sterling to her bank balance. However it's often said that when it comes to the Turner Prize the exposure one gets from winning is worth far more than the cash value...

What kind of art does Tomma Abts create? Well acrylic or oil paintings actually - abstract art. Perhaps some would say this is unusual considering this is theTurner Prize. It's not known for selecting simple "lowly" painters as winners. NonethelessTomma Abts was chosen originally because of her solo painting exhibitions. The exhibitions based specifically at Greengrassi, London and Kunsthalle Basel, Switzerland.

The Tate Gallery has lauded her "rigorous and consistent approach to painting" .Furthermore this prestigous gallery comments on the "intimate and compelling canvases" of Tomma Abts and how she "enriches the language of abstract art"....I think they like her - a lot!

With endorsements like this is it any wonder she won the prize?! In my personal opinion I think Tomma Abts is OK, but for me she doesn't have "Knock Out" impact.

Tomma Abts creates her works through repeating geometric shapes and figures on layers of rich colours. I don't consider this a particularly original way to paint. That being said I do find that some of Tomma's artwork work does actually move me in unexpected ways.

I don't really know why - but each Tomma Abts painting measures exactly 48 x 38 cms. However I can see that this makes for more concentrated or focused artwork. Only Tomma herself knows why she opted for these exact measurements.

When creating titles for her paintings apparently Tomma simply plucks one from a dictionary of German first names! Titles like "Veeke" for example were created in this way. In my view this is surely only slightly more interesting than numbering each picture!

All in all I think that Tomma Abts creates abstract art that is pretty accessible to the public at large. This is something that perhaps could not be said about the artwork of previous Turner Prize winners! I base my opinion of course on Tomma's prize winning paintings. I would go further and state that I cannot conceive of a Tomma Abts creation offending anyone - even slightly.

In the end it's just my personal opinion but I do believe that it's entirely posible that Tomma Abts will go on to become a household name - within her own lifetime...Of course she could also disappear without trace from the media - and our minds in the blink of an eye, for precisely the same reasons.

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Author: Flo Cordon worships Art. Read her stimulating writing on 2006 Turner Prize Winner Tomma Abts. Flo represents a whole new perspective on Abstract Art.