The Liverpool Plinth marks its fifth year with a new callout for sculptors living and working in the North of England to apply to see their work displayed on the site.
Established in 2018, The Liverpool Plinth is located at the Grade II listed Liverpool Parish Church, the Church of Our Lady and Saint Nicholas, and is managed by Liverpool BID Company and dot-art.
Part of the Public Art Strategy in place in Liverpool’s Commercial District, The Liverpool Plinth is the Northern response to London’s Trafalgar Square Fourth Plinth. Celebrating and platforming Northern sculptors, it is free to submit a proposal. The selected artist receives £1,000.
Since its inception, the project has brought public art into the city centre, exploring diverse issues including disability, mental health, climate change and heritage. Previous artists whose work has been displayed on The Liverpool Plinth include;
- Tony Heaton with Gold Lamé
- Sam Shendi with Split Decision
- Gail Dooley with Tidal Shame
- Faith Bebbington with Jimmy
The Open Call for 2022 opens on Monday 24th January and closes on Friday 1st April at midnight. More details and how to apply can be found here: https://dot-art.co.uk/the-liverpool-plinth-2022
Lucy Byrne, Director of dot-art, says:
“Each of the works that have been on The Liverpool Plinth has told a story or put a spotlight on a part of our shared culture or history that isn’t known. This is what art can do and its power comes from its ability to provide inspiration, insight and ideas. We believe in championing artists and making art publicly accessible so there are as few barriers to see and enjoy art as possible”.
The Rector of Liverpool, the Revd Canon Dr Crispin Pailing, says:
“The Liverpool Plinth is an important part of daily life at Liverpool Parish Church and is part of the Church’s long history in promoting the visual arts. Each sculpture over the past five years has looked so different but each has provided a challenging or refreshing idea that always provokes interest. I’m excited to see what we will have for 2022”.
Bill Addy, chief executive of Liverpool BID Company and chair of LVEN (Liverpool Visitor Economy Network), says:
“Public Art attracts visitors but it also transforms our public spaces, making them more animated, accessible, open and attractive. As we continue to explore how our city will rejuvenate post-pandemic, Public Art remains a vital ingredient in connecting our city and bringing people together.
It is so important that we continue to celebrate and champion artists living and working in the North of England and this is at the heart of The Liverpool Plinth”.
