A thumbs up for the winner of the 2016 4th Plinth Commission

I have to say I am always intrigued by what will end up on the 4th plinth in Trafalgar square and I was excited to hear the announcement of the 2015 and 2016 winners.

Next year this privilidged position will be filled by the german painter and conceptual artist Hans Haacke.

This is not my favorite of the two winners, not because I don't find it an intriguing work rather that I really love the entry for 2016.

It is a work by David Shrigley one of the 2013 Turner prize nominees and the subject of a solo exhibition at the Hayward Gallery in 2012. His works have a deliberately comical and playful nature to them, typified by his Turner prize entry exhibited in Derry~Londonderry last year. This comprised an unusually proportioned plastic life model that peed into a bucket and around whom were set up chairs and easels encouraging the visitors to draw him in whatever fashion they so desired. Although his piece did not win the coveted award it drew a lot of attention and made the news.

His design for the 4th plinth is a giant thumbs up. It will blend in with the other sculptures in the square only in as far as it echoes the use of the traditional bronze material used for the rest of the sculptures. Aside from this nod to tradition the piece will undoubtedly jump out at the viewer. The sculpture is entitled 'Really Good' and is intended as a reaction against the pervading gloom of current climate (economic, political, meteorological take your pick). I don't see how you could look up at this giant work and resist a cheeky smile and none of us will be any the poorer for that.

If you would like to see some other 4th Plinth oldies but goodies then click here.

Shrigley's website: http://www.davidshrigley.com/

What's rocking up on the fourth plinth?

So today, the 23^rd February saw the most recent sculpture to grace the fourth plinth being installed. It was a delightful day for the installation, the clear blue skies set off the intriguing work to great effect.

The sculpture is by artists Elmgreen and Dragset. This dynamic duo work within the medium of sculptural and architectural installations and the fourth plinth must have been a tantalising opportunity for their particular brand. They have experienced increased critical acclaim and success during the 2000's. And their successful proposal for the fourth plinth which has been host to work by other significant contemporary artists including Marc Quinn and Antony Gormley will no doubt add to this.

There is a self-evident playfulness to this work particularly when set up against the serious and intentionally awe-inspiring equestrian sculptures on the other plinths in Trafalgar Square.

The sculpture is intended to act as an alternative to this visual language which refers to victory and power. Instead, this joyful sculpture creates a ‘non-powerful’ element within the square, suggesting that life is not always about victory or defeat.

The sculpture is just a new layer in the rich heritage of the fourth plinth of which here are just a couple of my favourite examples.

Marc Quinn, Alison Lapper pregnant, 2005

Thomas Schütte Model for a Hotel 2007

And Finally ...

Yinka Shonibare, Ship in a Bottle, 2011

A campaign has been launched by the Art Fund to purchase Ship in a Bottle for the National Maritime museum for information visit : http://www.artfund.org/ship/