Liverpool Plinth

The Liverpool Plinth is an art space that showcases sculptures for a 12-month period on a plinth outside Liverpool Parish Church in Liverpool, UK. The Liverpool Plinth, in the mould of Trafalgar Square’s Fourth Plinth, occupies a prominent position overlooking Chapel Street and Liverpool’s waterfront. It laid empty since the removal of Brian Burgess’s “Christ on a Donkey” several years ago[1].

First set up in 2018, each sculpture is chosen via a competition open to artists living or working in the north of England (North West, North East, Yorkshire and the Humber).[2] The winner receives £1000.

The project was set up by Liverpool BID Company working with city gallery and art organisation, dot-art, and Liverpool Parish Church.[3][4]

Winners
Dates Winning Sculpture Artist Description Picture
June 2018 – June 2019 Gold Lamé[5] Tony Heaton Materials: Fibreglass, steel, automotive paint.

Dimensions: 9’9”(h)x4’6”(w)

525(h)x137(w)cm

Created: 2014[6]


A suspended, bright gold Invacar which aimes to act as a catalyst for discussion and debate on how disabled people are currently viewed and considered within contemporary society, including that of religion and faith.

The Invacar was a societal response initiated by the government in recognition of the increased number of former servicemen injured in the Second World War and a lack of access to public transport.


Gold Lamé was originally commissioned by DaDaFest for their festival in 2014.[7]
Gold Lamé by Tony Heaton, sculpture showcased in The Liverpool Plinth in 2018.
June 2019 – July 2020 Split Decisions[5] Sam Shendi Materials: Bronze, steel, castors

Dimensions: 420(w)x120(h)x80(d)cm [8]


Split Decisions is part of a collection called ‘Only Human’ which as a collective explores the themes of mental health and depression.[9]


This particular piece expresses the difficulty in making a decision when you are in a depressed state for whatever length of time. It represents the fear of taking a direction, making a choice, to move from a place a person is currently in.


The colours are emotions so for example, red being anger or sexuality, green for hope and innocence, pink for childhood and a sweetness etc. The central figure is black and blue, using the expression ‘black and blue’ for pain.


So in this confusion of being unable to make a choice we feel this pain, black and blue, unaware of the bright side of the options or opportunities that lie before us in either direction. This is represented by the legs stretched out and the colours presenting those opportunities.[10]
Split Decision by Sam Shendi, sculpture showcased in The Liverpool Plinth in 2019
July 2020 – Present Tidal Shame[11] Gail Dooley Materials: Stoneware Ceramic, Metal and Found Objects

Dimensions: 168(h)x93(w)x80(d)cm[12]


The ceramic bird depicted in Tidal Shame is a gannet, a sea bird which is common to the city of Liverpool.


Trapped by authentic sea plastic and detritus collected from UK shores, this sculptural installation presents a striking image of our global marine problem and the real concern we must have of protecting animals.


Not only does Tidal Shame showcase the effects that plastic waste has on the natural world, the sculpture highlights the impact that waste has on the birds that inhabit it. Tidal Shame echoes the importance of celebrating our fellow creatures.[13]
Tidal Shame by Gail Dooley, sculpture showcased in The Liverpool Plinth in 2020

References
  1. "'Liverpool plinth' set to host sculpture every year". BBC. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  2. "The Liverpool Plinth 2019 - Call for Submissions • dot-art". January 15, 2019.
  3. "'Liverpool plinth' to host new sculpture". 14 October 2017. Retrieved 2019-07-31 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  4. Weston, Alan (13 June 2018). "Striking new artwork unveiled in Liverpool city centre". liverpoolecho. Retrieved 2019-07-31.
  5. "Music and Arts". Liverpool Parish Church.
  6. "Sculptures by Tony Heaton". Tony Heaton. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  7. "Dadafest 2014 art of the lived experiment review". Disability Arts Online. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  8. "Sculpture Split Decision". Saatchi Art. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  9. "Only Human by Sam Shendi". Sam Shendi. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  10. "The Liverpool Plinth". Sam Shendi. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  11. "Liverpool Plinth sculpture highlights 'shocking' sea pollution". BBC. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  12. "Gail Dooley Installation Artist". art&. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  13. "A sculpture warning of the risks of climate change to stand on The Liverpool Plinth". Liverpool BID Company. Retrieved 21 July 2020.

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