…By Henry George for TDPel Media.
Nick Hornby Proposes Radical Approach to Problematic Statues in London
British artist Nick Hornby has expressed his views on public statues and proposed a unique solution for dealing with controversial figures that already exist in London.
Hornby, distinct from the well-known writer, is currently unveiling three separate commissioned works in the city this summer.
Hornby believes that while the toppling of statues, such as the Edward Colston statue in Bristol, sparks important conversations, it is better to leave them in place and shed light on their problematic nature.
He proposes making interventions to these works in a way that functions similar to a statue, with visible cues that question their meaning, rather than just small plaques.
Growing up, Hornby developed a fascination with public sculpture, finding museums boring but being captivated by the sculptures he encountered around London.
His new works aim to challenge the status quo of power and militarism, particularly through alternative narratives and representation for young viewers.
One of his recent works, titled “Power over others is Weakness disguised as Strength,” challenges the historic military figure of King Richard I by presenting it from a queer perspective.
Another piece, commissioned by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, raises questions about spending on public art in an unequal area.
Hornby’s technical process involves creating digital models and then bending steel to create curving lines.
These works play with distortion and changing perspectives, addressing debates around monuments and statue removal.
While unveiling permanent works to the public can be daunting, Hornby embraces the intensity of the process and acknowledges the limited time for evaluation before the launch.
Nick Hornby’s approach to public sculpture offers a fresh perspective on the conversation surrounding controversial statues and their place in London’s landscape.
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