Famed Hollywood action hero Steve McQueen, who died of cancer
in 1980, has apparently returned from the grave. The resilient
zombie McQueen has just been named the 1999 recipient of the UK's
controversial Turner Prize, awarded annually and traditionally to
the artist who seems to enrage fundamentalist art critics the most.
McQueen, who is remembered fondly as a svelte, blond, dashing white man, but is
now a large black man upon his ascension from the grave, was cited for a series
of filmed works which depict such things as a house collapsing and a tape
recorder drifting off beneath a balloon, a far cry from his earlier works,
many of which involved high-speed car chases through the streets of San
Francisco.
"I would like to thank my family and friends who are here tonight," the Zombi
McQueen said in a simple statement that did not touch upon his shocking
reincarnation.
Not all Turner observers agreed with the selection. Many close to the scene
expected a wackier entry - such as Tracey Emin's controversial display of
soiled bedlinens - to take the prize. Previous winners have included Chris
Ofili, who paints with elephant dung, and Damien Hirst, who produced jars
containing the severed halves of cows.
McQueen did not reveal whether he plans a return to the action film genre at
this time, but some industry insiders insist such a deal is eminent.
