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Queen riding on horse proposed as permanent statue for fourth plinth
Katharine Barney, Evening Standard07.08.08
A statue of the Queen on horseback could become a permanent feature of Trafalgar Square's fourth plinth.
The proposal is one of a number being discussed by Westminster councillors and it is believed Boris Johnson has been informed of the plans.
The recent decision to approve Antony Gormley's project One And Other and Yinka Shonibare's Nelson's Ship In A Bottle as the next plinth artworks will still go ahead.
The sculpture of the Queen, if approved, would be erected following her death.
However, both Westminster council, which grants planning permission for plinth artworks, and the Greater London Authority, which selects the projects, said no formal decision had been made.
A GLA spokesman said: "We will not enter into speculation about the longterm future of the fourth plinth, but the GLA is concerned with managing the successful rolling programme of contemporary art."
Between 1841 and 1999 there was nothing on the plinth but in 1999 the Fourth Plinth Project was created to oversee a rotation of modern artworks showcased for up to two years.
Campaigners have called for a memorial to Battle of Britain hero Sir Keith Park to have a permanent place on the plinth. Before his election as Mayor Mr Johnson said he supported the campaign but he has since changed his stance, citing "complex planning issues".
A source close to the proposals for the statue of the Queen said: "The plinth is wide enough and perfectly shaped for Her Majesty on horseback." But a spokesman for Westminster council said that while it was aware of the discussions, no formal application had been made.
Alastair Moss, chairman of Westminster's planning briefs committee, said: "At present, no planning applications have been submitted to us by the Mayor's office regarding the fourth plinth. When and if the Greater London Authority decides to submit proposals, Westminster city council's planning committee will consider these in the same way all planning applications are assessed."
Despite support for a monument to the Queen others said the current arrangement should stay in place.
Design consultant Stephen Bayley said: "The notorious fourth plinth should be left empty as an indication of the vapidity of modern public art. With absolutely no disrespect to Her Majesty, she would deserve a fine memorial that the nation decides."
Describing the Queen as a " magnificent emblem of Britishness", he suggested that a "realistic monumental sculpture of the Queen on horseback would have been a quaint idea in the late-Victorian era".
The first three contemporary artworks displayed on the fourth plinth were Mark Wallinger's Ecce Homo, Bill Woodrow's Regardless Of History and Rachel Whiteread's Monument.
Marc Quinn's sculpture Alison Lapper Pregnant stood on the plinth from 2005 to last year. Thomas Sch¸tte's Model For A Hotel 2007, built of coloured glass, is the current sculpture on display.
Reader views (4)
I would go to London a lot for my holidays and I love London and Trafalgar square, I think a monument to her majesty the queen would be a very good idea. Elizabeth our gracious queen has been a very good monarch and is what London needs is a statue and memorial to her late majesty the queen mother. There is a memorial to king George vi in the mall, how about a monument to the queen mother, she has been dead since march 2002 and I think it is time for a monument to our last queen consort. People have been talking about it since she died I think it is time for action, would love to see a monument to the queen and to her mother as well, would love to see a statue of princess Diana as well in London.
- Philip Hale, belfast northern ireland
Why would any Brit want to commemorate a foreigner in Britain's capital city? Why wouldn't it be a good idea for the silent majority, who do not necessarily have a locked in anti-monarchy point of view, to have a statue of their current monarch on the 4th plinth?
I won't just assume that Dhanraj from Essex is not British born, but it is logical to assume that, in considering the numbers of people getting into the country otherwise, there is less and less 'feel' or interest in a British 'Britain'.
- Rogan, DFW TX
At last some dignity has been suggested for the fourth plinth. If there is anything that would represent the present Elizabethan generation, then it would be our Queen on horseback at the Trooping. The present exercise in respect of the fourth plinth, whilst very worthy, is totally our of character with the architecture of the square. We do not need a statue of Nelson Mandela - he does not represent we English. Please may we have our hero Queen who has remained steadfast while all around us is chaos.
- David Croome, Sutton, Surrey - UK
What an absolute disaster of a decision. I'm sure London could do without another statue of a monarch astride a horse. No, what should be on the plinth is the statue of Nelson Mandela, right opposite South Africa House. At the moment the statue is in completely in the wrong place opposite the Houses of Parliament.
Also, Trafalgar Square should be pedestrianised, and the Congestion Charge extended westwards. Johnson hasn't got any grip on reality.
- Dhanraj, basildon, essex
