A Question Of Judgment

The Turner Prize nominations have become the British art scene's annual rite of ridicule. Last week's announcement that the shortlist included ceramist Grayson Perry, whose works depict scenes from the life of his alter ego, a woman named Claire, gave the tabloids more than their usual grist for outrage at the state of contemporary art. pornographic potter gunning for 20,000, screeched the Daily Mail.

But the tabs' time might be better spent exploring the cozy relationship between the Turner Prize judges and the nominees. Andrew Wilson, who short-listed Perry, was paid to pen a catalog essay on him...