The PSSA Marsh Award for Excellence in Public Sculpture is an annual award for public sculpture in the UK or Ireland.
The Award is funded by the Marsh Charitable Trust and is made on the recommendation of a panel of judges under the auspices of the Public Statues and Sculpture Association (PSSA), formerly the Public Monuments and Sculpture Association (PMSA). The Award Ceremony is held annually at the PSSA headquarters in Cowcross Street, London, every November.
The PSSA Marsh Award for Excellence in Public Sculpture has shortlisted five remarkable artists for their exceptional contributions to the conservation of public sculptures. This award recognizes the best sculptures or monuments installed within the previous year in a public space, enabling people to engage with the art form.
On the 25th of September 2024, via their Instagram page, PSSA announced the 5 artists who have been shortlisted for the 2024 award; Larry Achiampong and David Blandy, Elpida Hadzi- Vasileva, Nick Hornby, Yinka Shonibare, Tim Shaw.
Larry Achiampong and David Blandy – Trēow of Time, 2023, A UCL East Public Art Commission, UCL East Marshgate Campus, Stratford, London.
Larry Achiampong and David Blandy’s Treow of Time is a captivating public sculpture that delves into themes of heritage, identity, and the environment. Known for their collaborative projects that blend digital media with physical sculptures, the duo’s work in Treow of Time reflects on the intertwined relationships between history and the natural world. The piece represents the passage of time, using a tree motif as a metaphor for growth, memory, and collective experience. Achiampong and Blandy frequently explore the intersection of technology, identity, and community, making this work a profound reflection on our connection to the past and the future.
Elpida Hadzi- Vasileva –The Gilded Elm, 2023, Preston Park, Preston Drove, Brighton.
Elpida Hadzi-Vasileva’s The Gilded Elm is a conservation-focused sculpture located in Preston Park, Brighton. The project transforms a deceased elm tree into a gilded structure, emphasizing both ecological concerns and the transformative potential of art. Hadzi-Vasileva is known for her innovative use of organic materials and the connection her sculptures have to their surrounding environments.
Nick Hornby – Power over Others is Weakness disguised as Strength, 2023, Orchard Place, London.
Nick Hornby’s sculpture Power over Others is Weakness disguised as Strength is a bold commentary on human nature and societal structures. The sculpture reveals an image of a man on horseback, referencing the nineteenth-century heroic, romantic equestrian statue by Carlo Marochetti in front of the Palace of Westminster. However, from other angles, the image dissolves into an abstract sculpture that is open to interpretation. This piece interrogates ideas of authority and dominance, exploring how strength, when used to overpower others, reveals inherent weaknesses.
Yinka Shonibare – Hibiscus Rising, 2023, Meadow Lane, Aire Park, Leeds.
Hibiscus Rising, 2023, was commissioned to honor David Oluwale, a British Nigerian who tragically died in Leeds in 1969. The hibiscus flower which symbolizes empathy, passion, beauty and love reflects the message of healing and unity while honoring the legacy of David Oluwole. Shonibare’s ability to merge history, identity, and nature into his public sculptures has made him one of the leading contemporary artists of his generation.
Tim Shaw – Man on Fire, 2023, outside Imperial War Museum North, Greater Manchester.
Tim Shaw’s Man on Fire is a vivid and emotive sculpture that depicts a human figure engulfed in flames. This work speaks to contemporary issues of conflict and displacement that resonates with viewers worldwide. Man on Fire was originally conceived in 2009 from foam and black baling plastic. It was then reworked for over a long period of time before finally being cast into bronze at Castle Fine Art Foundry between 2021 and 2023. Shaw is renowned for his politically charged works that explore themes of power, violence, and survival. His dynamic approach to public sculpture gives voice to the voiceless and draws attention to pressing global issues.
The winner of the PSSA Marsh Award for Excellence in the Conservation of Public Sculpture will be announced at a ceremony in Central London on October 17, 2024. Public voting is open to select the most impactful work, ensuring that the voice of the community is part of the selection process. This award highlights the vital role of public sculptures in enhancing civic spaces and preserving cultural narratives.
