Duncan Campbell wins Turner Prize

Duncan Campbell of Ireland has won the 2014 Turner Prize for contemporary art for his so-called essay film entitled "It For Others". In the work, he mixes new footage with old film clips, including a 1971 image of IRA-member Joe McCann, who was killed by British soldiers shortly after the photo was taken. Joe McCann's image was printed on t-shirts and used as a pop symbol after his death.

Campbell is known for highlighting complex social issues and political conflict in his work. In "It For Others", he also drew on motives from African art, dance and Marxism. "He always takes serious questions, but then what he does is treat them in quite an usual way," said Tate Britain director and jury chair Penelope Curtis.

Duncan Campbell also receives 25,000 pounds (over $39,000) in prize money, which he said he is particularly thankful for. "The economics of what I do are not as great as, say, a painter, so it does make a difference in terms of me being able to do what I do," he said. Campbell, 42, was born in Dublin but now lives and works in Glasgow, Scotland.

According to Campbell, "It For Others" is "about how you can understand certain histories through objects." The film is one hour long and was included in Scotland's entry to the Venice Biennale last year. British art critics had predicted Campbell's win ahead of the ceremony.

The Turner Prize has been presented for the past 30 years to artists under the age of 50. This year, Campbell beat out James Richards of Wales, Tris Vonna-Michelll of England and Ciara Phillips, a Canadian in Scotland. Each of the nominees receive 5,000 pounds in prize money.

Duncan Campbell is in good company. The Turner Prize, named for 19th-century landscape painter J.M.W. Turner, has famously also been presented to artists Damien Hirst, Anish Kapoor and Laure Prouvost. The works of this year's four nominees will be on show at Tate Britain through January 4, 2015.