The director of the Lisson Gallery, which represents the Wilsons, points to notorious shark-pickler Damien Hirst as a prime example of this. Gill Hedley, director of the Contemporary Art Society, reckons that far from demonising artists the controversy is good for art. On balance contemporary art probably benefits from the debate. The more people who look and the longer they look, the better for contemporary art. Aside from the winner's 20,000, the prize has other has financial implications for all those concerned.
Some galleries double the prices immediately.
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