Representing Britain at the Venice Biennale is the ultimate accolade for an artist. Today, a former Turner prizewinner was picked for the honour.

Steve McQueen was singled out to fly the flag for Britain at the 2009 Venice Biennale, the world's foremost showcase for contemporary art, fresh from his success at the Cannes Film Festival, the world's largest showcase for film.

He is following in the footsteps of Henry Moore, Gilbert & George and, most recently, Tracey Emin.

McQueen, who represented his country as an official war artist in Iraq in 2003, said: "I am overwhelmed, thrilled and delighted."

Having made his name as a video artist who won the Turner Prize in 1999, he made his debut as a film director this year. 'Hunger', a harrowing drama about the IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands, won the Camera d'Or for best first feature film at Cannes. As one of the few British films singled out for this year's official programme, it went on to attract rave reviews from critics worldwide. The Times hailed it as a stunning debut and described its depiction of the starvation as an unspeakable horror.

Between June and November next year, McQueen will present a solo exhibition in the British Pavilion at the Venice fair.

Since 1938, the British Council has been responsible for choosing and presenting British artists at the Biennale, the world's oldest contemporary art fair. It used to focus on group exhibition but, since 1970, a single UK artist has been commissioned to produce a solo show.

McQueen was selected by a panel that included Stephen Deuchar, Director of Tate Britain.

Andrea Rose, the British Council's Director of Visual Arts, said: "McQueen is regarded as one of the most important younger artists working in Britain today. This will be the first time that an artist known predominantly for his work in film has been selected for the British Pavilion. The jury felt that this area of art practice is one of the leading strengths in British art, and that Steve McQueen’s innovative approach to film-making has made him one of the leading exponents.

"The Biennale is a showcase of what is current and relevant in the UK today and Steve McQueen’s powerful and emotive work both challenges and inspires audiences to reflect upon the world in which we live."

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