What Happened to the Winner of ArtPrize 2009?

Ran Ortner and his assistant at work. Courtesy the artist.

You might recall reading about my trip to ArtPrize -- a new experimental art competition in Grand Rapids, Michigan -- in the fall.* This international contest is decided solely by public vote. Ten finalists (individual artists or collectives) are awarded a total of $449,000, with $250,000 of that pot going to the first place winner. I recently caught up with the winner of last year's grand prize, the Brooklyn-based painter Ran Ortner. Go to the ArtPrize blog to read my interview with the artist, in which he discusses the impact of ArtPrize on his life and work.

*Artist registration for ArtPrize 2010 closes May 27. Get more information about sign up here.