A giant blue cockerel and a bronze depicting a child astride his rocking horse will be the next two art works displayed on Trafalgar Square’s the Fourth Plinth.
The winning commissions by Elmgreen & Dragset and Katherina Fritsch were announced today by Mayor of London Boris Johnson having been selected by the Fourth Plinth Commissioning Group, chaired by Ekow Eshun.
Eshun said the winning entrants were “distinguished artists with major international reputations” and said their selection “further underlines the importance and reputation of the Fourth Plinth as the most significant public art commission in Britain.”
Announcing the winning concepts Mayor Johnson said “All of the shortlisted artists show what an extraordinary crucible the Fourth Plinth is for contemporary art. It continues to spark the imagination and there has been a tremendous response from the public.
“As we head towards 2012 – a pivotal year for culture as well as sport – these witty and enigmatic creations underline London’s position as one of the most exciting cities for art and are sure to keep people talking.”
During the 2008 election campaign the Mayor Mr Johnson indicated he was in favour of scrapping the fourth plinth project in favour of erecting a statue of Second World War hero Sir Keith Park who commanded RAF squadrons in the defence of London during the Battle for Britain.
The Mayor’s subsequent change of decision to retain the scheme was attacked by the right-wing leaning New Culture Forum as “a timid, cowardly U-turn”.
