JOHN LENNON - ABTS THE FIRST WOMAN TURNER WINNER

Artist TOMMA ABTS is celebrating after becoming the first woman painter to win the coveted Turner Prize in its 22 year history. The German-born artist was presented with the GBP25,000 ($49,000) cheque by JOHN LENNON's widow YOKO ONO yesterday (04DEC06) at the London art gallery Tate Britain. The painting, which was described by judges as "compelling images that reveal their complexity slowly over time", beat video artist PHIL COLLINS, poster artist MARK TITCHNER and sculptor REBECCA WARREN. Last year's winner SIMON STARLING, dismantled a shed, made it into a boat, then turned it back into a shed again.