Press release: Boris Johnson says Fourth Plinth project will continue, but backs memorial to Sir Keith Park

3 June 2008

Mayor of London Boris Johnson today met with Munira Mirza, Director of Arts, Culture and the Creative Industries Policy, and Ekow Eshun, Director of the Institute of Contemporary Arts, who has recently been appointed Chair of the Fourth Plinth Commissioning Group.

It was the Mayor's first meeting with Ekow Eshun and they took the opportunity to look at the maquettes of the six shortlisted artworks to go on the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square.

The Mayor said: 'London is one of the greatest cities in the world for arts and culture, with the opportunity to experience a phenomenal range from the classical, to the modern. The Fourth Plinth is a project that encapsulates that fantastic mix, putting contemporary work against the context of some fine old buildings, underlining London's reputation at the cutting edge of art. The Fourth Plinth has also proven popular, sparking the public's imagination and will continue for the foreseeable future.'

The work selected from the current shortlist to go on the Fourth Plinth will be announced shortly and the Mayor welcomed the appointment of Ekow Eshun as Chair of the Fourth Plinth Commissioning Group.

Ekow Eshun said: 'The Fourth Plinth is a flagship public art commission that brings world-class contemporary sculpture to the heart of London. It's an ambitious, important project that has brought a new dynamism to Trafalgar Square. I am delighted the new Mayor has given the programme his backing and am looking forward to announcing the next winners in due course.'

The Mayor will continue to work with the Sir Keith Park Memorial Campaign to ensure that a suitable memorial is erected as quickly as possible at a high profile and prestigious central London location.

Mr Johnson added: 'I want to see a permanent memorial to Sir Keith Park placed in a prestigious central London location as quickly as possible, in recognition of his critical role in Battle of Britain and his brave and distinguished leadership to the United Kingdom. I will continue to work closely with the Sir Keith Park Memorial Campaign to achieve this.'

'I believe it would be appropriate to have a temporary memorial of Sir Keith Park on the Fourth Plinth to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain. I will do everything in my power to help make this happen.'

Notes to editors

1. The current Fourth Plinth shortlist features: Jeremy Deller; Tracey Emin; Antony Gormley; Anish Kapoor; Yinka Shonibare; Bob & Roberta Smith. The work that has been selected from the shortlist to next go on the Fourth Plinth will be announced later this month. More information about the shortlisted artists and their works.
2. More information about the Sir Keith Park Memorial Campaign can be found at www.sirkeithpark.com.