Mystery artist Banksy expected to attend South Bank Sky Arts awards

Updated

The identity of elusive graffiti artist Banksy could finally be revealed at the South Bank Sky Arts Awards.

The Bristolian artist, who keeps his true identity secret, is set to attend the ceremony at The Savoy Hotel on Sunday afternoon after being nominated for his theme park Dismaland in the visual arts category.

The controversial attraction, which opened in a derelict lido in Weston-super-Mare in Somerset in August, featured migrant boats and an anarchist training camp and was later dismantled and sent to Calais to provide shelter for migrants.

Dismaland Bemusement Park will compete against Cornelia Parker for Magna Carta (An Embroidery) at The British Library and Lynette Yiadom-Boakye: Verses After Dusk at the Serpentine Gallery.

Hosted by Lord Melvyn Bragg, the broad arts awards celebrate their 20th anniversary with a star-studded guest list that includes Sir Lenny Henry, Martin Freeman, Russell T Davies, Stormzy, Maxine Peake, Elaine Paige and Matthew Bourne.

The BBC's acclaimed TV adaptation of Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall will be hoping to complement the author's success in 2013 for her prequel Bring Up The Bodies.

The historical epic which starred Mark Rylance as Thomas Cromwell and Damian Lewis as Henry VIII faces Channel 4's Humans and BBC One drama Doctor Foster, represented at the ceremony by Suranne Jones.

Academy Award nominee Charlotte Rampling will be hoping for success for 45 Years as it competes against visual effects Oscar winner Ex Machina and best picture nominee Brooklyn in the film category.

In a first for the awards, two nominees of the previously announced The Times Breakthrough Award have also been nominated for a South Bank Sky Arts Award in their respective categories.

Michaela Coel's E4 sitcom Chewing Gum has received a nod in the comedy category, while virtuoso clarinettist Mark Simpson is nominated for The Immortal in the classical music category.

Londoner Coel will battle it out with Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney's Channel 4 series Catastrophe and BBC One hit Peter Kay's Car Share.

Composer Simpson will vie for his award with Stephen Hough's International Piano Series: Debussy and Chopin, Royal Festival Hall and City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra: Andris Nelsons' Farewell Concert, Symphony Hall.

Mercury Prize winner Benjamin Clementine and band Years & Years pit their debut albums against Sleaford Mods' eighth offering in the pop category, while British theatre, opera, literature and dance will also be celebrated.

Comedian Eddie Izzard will accept the already-announced outstanding achievement award for his lifetime contribution to arts. Previous winners include JK Rowling, Sir Richard Attenborough, The Who and Tracey Emin.

:: The South Bank Sky Arts Awards will be broadcast on Sky Arts on June 8.

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