Press release:
Antony Gormley and Yinka Shonibare chosen for Fourth Plinth
23 June 2008
Antony Gormley and Yinka Shonibare, MBE were announced today by the
Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, as the winning artists of the next two
commissions for the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square.
Antony Gormley’s proposal One and Other is that the Fourth Plinth
is occupied for 100 consecutive days, 24 hours a day, by members of the
public who have volunteered to stand on it for an hour at a time. Over
this period it is estimated that 2,400 people would take part. Antony
Gormley said: 'Through elevation onto the plinth and removal from common
ground’ the body becomes a metaphor, a symbol and allows us to
reflect on the diversity, vulnerability and particularity of the individual
in contemporary society.' The project will now enter its development
phase during which delivery and project management details will be finalised.
Yinka Shonibare’s proposal Nelson's Ship in a Bottle is a scale
replica of Nelson’s ship, HMS Victory, in a giant glass bottle
with sails made of patterned textiles commonly associated with Africa
and bought from Brixton market in London. Shonibare says his piece will
reflect the story of multiculturalism in London today: ‘For me
it’s a celebration of London’s immense ethnic wealth, giving
expression to and honouring the many cultures and ethnicities that are
still breathing precious wind into the sails of the UK.’
Boris Johnson said: 'It was obviously a tough decision – all of
the shortlisted proposals had their own merits. But I am very excited
about the prospect of real people standing on the plinth, in one of the
great public square of the world, and I think it is an incredible idea
to have a modern depiction of Nelson's boat that will be gazed upon by
a statue of the great admiral himself.'
The selection was made by the Fourth Plinth Commissioning Group, which
is chaired by Ekow Eshun, Artistic Director of the Institute of Contemporary
Art, London.
Ekow Eshun said: 'Antony Gormley and Yinka Shonibare produced the outstanding
proposals from a shortlist of exceptionally high calibre entries. They
have created bold, arresting works that, in quite different ways, reflect
on the multifaceted nature of modern Britain. They are worthy winners
and their projects will continue to establish the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar
Square as one of the most exciting sites for public art in the world.'
Moira Sinclair, Executive Director, Arts Council England, London, said:
'Both of these remarkable proposals represent the multiplicity of voices
within our capital city. Antony Gormley's will provide a platform for
hundreds of members of the public to stand up and take their place amongst
the luminaries of Trafalgar Square, while Yinka Shonibare's work will
speak on behalf of those who have perhaps gone unheard in the past -
but both will certainly continue to stimulate the fascinating debate
about the role of art in everyday life, and bring great art to everyone
who passes by this world renowned landmark.'
Notes to editors
