The Fourth Plinth
Friday, 1 March 2024 09:34
Cats and cat lovers assemble – and more importantly, vote. The ballot to choose the new occupant of Trafalgar Square’s famous Fourth Plinth is open. And one of the shortlisted contenders is a sculpture of an extremely handsome black cat, by Scottish artist Ruth Ewan. It’s called Believe in Discontent, which is a quote from ferocious suffragist Charlotte Despard.
Judge for yourself how utterly worthy of plinth-hood this piece is. All the contenders are on show (online and IRL) at the National Gallery in London. https://bit.ly/plinthex
The exhibition ends on Sunday, 17 March, which is highly auspicious as that is the day dedicated to St Gertrude of Nivelles, the patron saint of cats, (also St Patrick’s Day). It’s all coming together.
An Historical note
Trafalgar Square was opened in 1844 as a public space to celebrate the British Navy’s victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. That is why national hero Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson stands on a pole in the middle of it. Nelson’s Column is 52 metres high. That is one impressive scratching post.
Each corner of the square is pegged by a plinth, three of them occupied. Funding dried up for the statue of William IV intended for the north-west plinth. So it stood empty for 158 years until the first of the Fourth Plinth pieces was installed.
Since 1999 there have been 14 sculptures, each standing for two to five years. Now it is time for a new one.
As many will know, there are already four magnificent bronze lions couchants (i.e. lounging around) in Trafalgar Square. They have been there since 1867, designed by Sir Edwin Landseer, Victorian art superstar. Now we have a chance to place a proper cat on the Fourth Plinth.
Call To Action – all CATS
The winning piece will be chosen by the public, so Clowder Press urges you get on and vote for Believe in Discontent.
The ballot closes on Tuesday, 12 March 2024. Cast your vote now. Go to https://bit.ly/plinth-vote
Belvedere and I have both voted. Over to you. Do it now. Believe and read all about cats at Clowder Press.