Proposals for the next ‘Fourth Plinth’ sculpture commission on London’s Trafalgar Square were announced today. The pedestal, on the northwest corner of London’s best-know public square, is currently occupied by British artist David Shrigley’s absurdist ‘thumbs up’ sculpture Really Good. The next two commissioned works will be selected from proposals by Huma Bhabha, Damián Ortega, Heather Phillipson, Michael Rakowitz and Raqs Media Collective. Maquettes of their proposed works are on display at the National Gallery until 26 March 2017.
London’s mayor Sadiq Khan said: “The variety of the exciting proposals unveiled today demonstrates the way in which artists react so differently to Trafalgar Square. I’m delighted to see that the shortlisted commissions are not just from the UK but from around the globe, a clear sign that London is open to creativity. The Fourth Plinth reflects the best of London in so many ways – it is inventive, pioneering, surprising and a source of delight, discussion and debate for millions of Londoners and visitors from across the world.”
The two artists who have been selected will be announced in March 2017, and their works will be unveiled in Trafalgar Square in 2018 and 2020 respectively.
19 January 2017
