News Item: 00060

23rd Jun 2008

Antony Gormley and Yinka Shonibare chosen for Fourth Plinth

Source: http://www.london.gov.uk

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.'