Art for the fourth plinth - 2nd June 2021

The four corners of London's Trafalgar Square contain prominent structures named plinths.

Whereas three of the plinths had sculptures of important people installed on them, one was left unused. After years of discussion, it was decided that this fourth plinth should be an exhibition space with fresh art displayed every other year.

Six artists have been commissioned to design new pieces. Their works are on display in the National Gallery. Two will be chosen for the plinth.

Ekow Eshun is the chairperson of the commissioning organisation. He wants the art to get people thinking about living in London.

Ekow Eshun: "They're artists from all around the world, from Mexico, from Ghana, from Germany, from the UK. And each of them has proposed a work that will sit on the Fourth Plinth for 2 years, for a temporary period of 2 years. We've asked those artists to think about having a conversation with London about the role that art can play in helping us, really, to think more broadly about who we are, about how we live in the city of London."

Heather Phillipson's sculpture "The End" is on display until next September. In June, judges will select the works to take its place.

Entries for the next artwork are as diverse as their creators. They include a massive rocket, a plaster cast of 850 trans people's faces and a plant-filled tower. One sculpture recreates a historical photo and there's a figure of a fictional character from Germany.

Ekow Eshun describes how the public are invited to indicate their preferences when viewing the entries. However, it will be the judges who select the winners.

Ekow Eshun: "The public is invited to have their say, to talk about what they like, what they don't like. And then, there's a selection process that's made by, by the Fourth Plinth Commissioning Group - the judges - and we decide the next works that will go on the Plinth."