Traditionalist on Turner shortlist

The organizers of Britain’s often controversial Turner Prize provided their usual surprise Thursday in announcing this year’s shortlist: Included is an artist known for painting that most conventional of subjects, vases of flowers.

Gillian Carnegie, 34, is the first artist working exclusively with paint to be nominated in five years for the $45,000 prize, which is regularly derided for relying on shock value at the expense of traditional art.

The other nominees this year for Britain’s top modern art award are Darren Almond, Jim Lambie and Simon Starling.