Leeds Art Gallery has won Exhibition of the Year for Mark Wallinger’s The Russian Linesman, voted for by tourism writers in Yorkshire.

Turner Prize winner Wallinger curated the exhibition which brought an extraordinary range of works together at Leeds Art Gallery from 16th May – 28th June 2009.

The accolade recognises the high quality of exhibitions being shown at Leeds Art Gallery – which is free to enter, and run by Leeds City Council.

Cllr John Procter, Executive Board Member for Leisure, said: “We’re really proud of this recognition for Leeds Art Gallery. It shows the direction that we’re taking the gallery in attracting outstanding exhibitions from around the world, and really putting Leeds Art Gallery on the map as a must see attraction for families, art enthusiasts and anyone looking to find out more about art.  We’ve also got the 2009 Northern Arts Prize showing until February 2010 at the moment, so that’s another exhibition that’s definitely not to be missed.”

The 2009 writer’s poll was conducted by digyorkshire.com, the online guide to what's on in Yorkshire. The award was decided by their team of over 20 writers, who travel the length and breadth of the county visiting and reviewing visitor attractions.

Leeds Art Gallery narrowly pipped the ‘Stanley Spencer’ exhibition at York Art Gallery, and the ‘Moore, Hepworth, Nicholson’ exhibition at The Graves Gallery, Sheffield to first place – with the others finishing second and third respectively.

The digyorkshire.com writer’s awards also identified the Yorkshire Sculpture Park as Best Day Out in 2009, with York Minster and the Freedom Festival in Hull also in the top three.