Hahn/Cock (2013) by Katharina FritschMayor of London
Watching Over the Square
The National Gallery sits at the north end of and overlooks Trafalgar Square. It was founded and opened to the public in 1824. The present building is actually the third to house the Gallery and was designed by William Wilkins. Prior to this, it was situated in two locations in Pall Mall.
Really Good (2016) by David ShrigleyMayor of London
Making Art Accessible to All
The location in the Square was a significant one, between the wealth of the West End and poverty of the east, lending support to the argument that art should be accessed by all social classes. The Gallery also housed the RSA from around 1837 to 1868 after which the Academy moved to its current location in Burlington Square, Piccadilly.
Shortlist Exhibition, National Gallery (2007) by The Mayor of LondonMayor of London
The Shortlist Exhibition
As in previous years, the maquettes of the artworks by each of the six shortlisted artists of 2021 are on display in the Gallery until July 2021.
At the end of the exhibition and with the public’s help, the Commissioning Group will then select two winning sculptures to be approved by the Mayor.
Learn more about the Fourth Plinth at g.co/fourthplinth or explore the 2021 shortlist artists here.
Text by L Rhoda Molife
