A MIDDLE-aged man has admitted he was surprised to be nominated for the biggest prize in art, stressing he really was just mowing his lawn.
Roy Hobbs, an assistant bank manager from Gloucester, said he was taking advantage of the good weather to cut the grass, put in some new bedding plants and do a bit of weeding.
He added: “So it came as something of a surprise when a couple of days later a chap appeared on the doorstep saying he was from the Turner Prize committee and that I had been shortlisted.
“It turns out I encapsulate not only the cultural clash between Islam and the West, but I’m also an iconic representation of the inherent contradictions of globalisation.
“I said to him, ‘that’s very nice of you, but I really was just cutting the grass’.
“He kept telling me I was ‘terribly daring’, and I said I didn’t think so because I had checked the forecast and if there had been even a hint of rain I’d have been straight back inside with a cup of tea and an episode of Midsommer Murders.”
Mr Hobbs will face stiff competition this year from a teapot on a plinth, a very long radiator, a Felix the Cat video and a mannequin on the toilet.
He added: “My wife and I are very much looking forward to the trip up to London. She thinks the teapot is a shoo-in, but I have to say, I just love the mannequin having a shit.”
