This restrained and eloquent piece by Dana Gioia was a joy to read. It clearly communicated the vision of the artist and articulated the writer's point of view.
The accompanying imagery provided excellent support for the themes in the article. One judge said, "The image almost made me feel uncomfortable, which mimics the dichotomy of the artist's life: ancient and contemporary."
Judges were left to speculate Tooker's connection to the University. Was Tooker's work on exhibit? Did the author or editor have a personal connection to the artist? That small piece of information would have communicated a vital connection which in turn would have served to clarify the objective of the article.
