Liverpool BID Company and dot-art are seeking a new artist from the north of England to have their work installed on The Liverpool Plinth. The sculpture will stand at the side of Liverpool Parish Church, overlooking Chapel Street and the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Waterfront.
The artwork will be the third sculpture to be installed on the Plinth. It is part of an annual project with Liverpool BID Company working alongside the Parish Church, known as St Nick’s, and the city gallery and art organisation dot-art, to enrich the public spaces in Liverpool’s Commercial District as part of the BID’s Public Art Strategy.
The previous two sculptures to adorn The Plinth Liverpool include Sam Shendi’s Split Decision and Tony Heaton’s Gold Lamé.
The Open Call is available to any artist working primarily in sculpture based in the north of England to submit existing work. The application process opens on Monday 13 January and closes on Sunday 22 March 2020. The selected artist will also receive a £1,000 prize.
Lucy Byrne, Director of dot-art, says:
“I’d urge any artist who thinks they may fit the bill to submit their work. At dot-art we’re passionate about championing artists but also bringing art to people, and our resolution for 2020 is to ensure we show everyone how art can transform their public spaces and be part of everyday life in an extraordinary way.”
The Rector of Liverpool, the Revd Canon Dr Crispin Pailing, says:
“The Liverpool Plinth has been an exciting project for us over the last couple of years, and we cannot wait for the 2020 sculpture. As well as animating the environment around Chapel St, each sculpture has provoked conversations and drawn people towards new ideas and challenges. The Church has a long history promoting the visual arts, and Liverpool Parish Church continues to do that in the 21st Century.”
Bill Addy, chief executive of Liverpool BID Company and chair of LVEN (Liverpool Visitor Economy Network), says:
“Public Art is such an important part of the work we do at Liverpool BID Company. Not only does it animate our public spaces but it encourages people to come and visit, and increasing footfall is good news for our local businesses.
The Liverpool Plinth has rapidly become a focal point, not just for artists and art lovers, but for people living, working and visiting the Commercial District. Liverpool Parish Church is one of the city’s most beautiful buildings and it’s the perfect setting for an eye catching and engaging piece of public art.
We’re incredibly excited to see what the sculptors of the North have in mind to adorn the Parish Church and welcome people to the Commercial District later this year”.
