Chicago-based, contemporary-artist Theaster Gates has been chosen from a shortlist of 10 of the world’s leading artists to win the UK’s leading prize for international contemporary art, Artes Mundi 6.

'The Rt. Hon. Carwyn Jones, First Minister for Wales announced Theaster Gates as the winner of the biannual award, with a prize sum of £40,000, at a ceremony held at National Museum Cardiff.

Theaster Gates upon accepting the award decided to split the prize amongst his fellow shortlisted artists.' More

'Theaster Gates' practice includes sculpture, installation, performance and urban interventions that aim to bridge the gap between art and life. He works as an artist, curator, urbanist and facilitator, and his projects attempt to instigate the creation of cultural communities by acting as catalysts for social engagement that leads to political and spatial change. Gates has described his working method as “critique through collaboration” – often with architects, researchers and performers – to create works that stretch the idea of what we usually understand as visual-based practices.' More