Nelsons Ship in Bottle at Trafalgar Square
When
Monday 24th May 2010 - throughout 2011
Where
Trafalgar Square
The latest art installation to take over the empty Fourth Plinth, Nelsons ship in bottle at Trafalgar Square is the work of British Nigerian artists and Turner Prize nominee Yinka Shonibare.
HMS Victory
A scale replica of the flagship HMS Victory which played a decisive role in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, Nelsons ship in bottle at Trafalgar Square directly draws on the history of the famous central London landmark which owes its name to the famous sea battle. Nelson died aboard the ship after securing victory against the French battle fleet, and the replica vessel joins the admiral's statue which occupies the tall column in the square.
Art installation
Yinka Shonibare's representation of Nelsons ship in bottle at Trafalgar Square follows other high profile art installations on the Fourth Plinth. Past installations have included Antony Gormley's living statue work One and Other, as well as Marc Quinn's sculpture of a pregnant Alison Lapper and the colourful Model for a Hotel by Thomas Schutte.
Fabric sails
One of the most eye catching features of Nelsons ship in bottle at Trafalgar Square are the 37 colourful sails, which are made from fabric bought from Brixton Market. Although commonly regarded as African textiles, these colourful and boldly patterned fabrics were originally based on an Indonesian batik design and were mass produced in Holland before being sold to parts of West Africa. The sail fabric is intended to represent the cultural diversity and rich ethnic heritage of modern Britain.
Yinka Shonibare
British Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare was chosen over artists such as Tracey Emin and Anish Kapoor to exhibit his work on the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square, after participating in the Royal Academy of Arts' Sensation show and the Venice Biennial. Shonibare's work explores themes of race and class through the media of film, painting, sculpture and photography.
Nelsons ship in bottle at Trafalgar Square can be seen on the Fourth Plinth from Monday 24th May 2010 until the end of 2011. The exhibition is free to attend.
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Content updated: 02/06/2012 04:50
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Content updated: 02/06/2012 04:50