• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

MayorWatch

London News and Comment

  • NEWS

Fourth plinth commissions announced

January 14, 2011 by Martin Hoscik

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”.

  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email

Filed Under: News

RECENT UPDATES

Tube and rail users to benefit from Oyster weekly fares cap

Mayor and TfL call on ministers to help plug funding gap

Tube to get full mobile phone coverage from 2024

TfL says Direct Vision Standard is already making HGVs safer for London road users




POPULAR

City Hall to move to Docklands as Mayor seeks to raise £55m for frontline services

‘Concern’ over TfL’s ability to deliver major projects in wake of Crossrail cost overruns

City Hall halts London Overground ticket office closures but many will still see opening hours reduced

Transport for London confirms bus cuts will go ahead despite passenger opposition

Copyright © 2025 · Terms of Use · Privacy Policy