Liverpool Plinth


The Liverpool Plinth is an art space that showcases sculptures for a 12-month period on a plinth outside Liverpool Parish Church in Liverpool, UK. The Liverpool Plinth, in the mould of Trafalgar Square’s Fourth Plinth, occupies a prominent position overlooking Chapel Street and Liverpool’s waterfront. It laid empty since the removal of Brian Burgess’s “Christ on a Donkey” several years ago.
First set up in 2018, each sculpture is chosen via a competition open to artists living or working in the north of England. The winner receives £1000.
The project was set up by Liverpool BID Company working with city gallery and art organisation, dot-art, and Liverpool Parish Church.

Winners

DatesWinning SculptureArtistDescriptionPicture
June 2018 – June 2019Gold LaméTony HeatonMaterials: Fibreglass, steel, automotive paint.
Dimensions: 9’9”x4’6”
525x137cm
Created: 2014
A suspended, bright gold Invacar which aimes to act as a catalyst for discussion and debate on how disabled people are currently viewed and considered within contemporary society, including that of religion and faith.
The Invacar was a societal response initiated by the government in recognition of the increased number of former servicemen injured in the Second World War and a lack of access to public transport.
Gold Lamé was originally commissioned by DaDaFest for their festival in 2014.
June 2019 – July 2020Split DecisionsSam ShendiMaterials: Bronze, steel, castors
Dimensions: 420x120x80cm
Split Decisions is part of a collection called ‘Only Human’ which as a collective explores the themes of mental health and depression.
This particular piece expresses the difficulty in making a decision when you are in a depressed state for whatever length of time. It represents the fear of taking a direction, making a choice, to move from a place a person is currently in.
The colours are emotions so for example, red being anger or sexuality, green for hope and innocence, pink for childhood and a sweetness etc. The central figure is black and blue, using the expression ‘black and blue’ for pain.
So in this confusion of being unable to make a choice we feel this pain, black and blue, unaware of the bright side of the options or opportunities that lie before us in either direction. This is represented by the legs stretched out and the colours presenting those opportunities.
July 2020 – PresentTidal ShameGail DooleyMaterials: Stoneware Ceramic, Metal and Found Objects
Dimensions: 168x93x80cm
The ceramic bird depicted in Tidal Shame is a gannet, a sea bird which is common to the city of Liverpool.
Trapped by authentic sea plastic and detritus collected from UK shores, this sculptural installation presents a striking image of our global marine problem and the real concern we must have of protecting animals.
Not only does Tidal Shame showcase the effects that plastic waste has on the natural world, the sculpture highlights the impact that waste has on the birds that inhabit it. Tidal Shame echoes the importance of celebrating our fellow creatures.