Nelson's Ship in a Bottle
Nelson's Ship in a Bottle displayed on the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square, London (2010)
ArtistYinka Shonibare
Year2010
SubjectHMS Victory
Dimensions280 cm × 250 cm × 500 cm (110 in × 98 in × 200 in)
LocationNational Maritime Museum, London
Coordinates51°28′49″N 0°00′19″W / 51.48030°N 0.00531°W / 51.48030; -0.00531

Nelson's Ship in a Bottle is a sculpture by the British-Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare. Commissioned in 2009 by the Greater London Authority,[1] it was originally placed on the Fourth Plinth in London's Trafalgar Square in 2010.

It was subsequently relocated to a plinth outside the Sammy Ofer Wing of the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, in southeast London, going on permanent display on 23 April 2012, two days before the museum's 75th anniversary.[2] The work was purchased for £362,500 through a joint fund including a £50,000 contribution from the Art Fund and £264,300 from members of the public.[2]

Description and production

Made in 2010, the work depicts Admiral Nelson's ship HMS Victory and measures 280 cm x 250 cm x 500 cm.[3] The piece is intricate and features 80 cannons and 37 sails.[4]

Cultural significance

Nelson's Ship in a Bottle, on permanent display in Greenwich

The work represents "Africa's complicated relationship with colonial lifestyles and values".[3] The sails are characteristic of West African clothing and are a tribute to the material which was taken by the Dutch during the colonial era. It is also thought to represent the diversity of London as a multicultural city, created by the European expansion. This reflects the history of the real vessel, which is thought to have had 22 nationalities represented in its crew, and illustrates the symbolism of England's diversity today.[3] According to Shonibare:

"It's a celebration of London's immense ethnic wealth, giving expression to and honouring the many cultures and ethnicities that are still breathing precious wind into the sails of the United Kingdom."[5]

A noticeable departure from the original ship is the African-patterned fabric used for the sails. This fabric is symbolic of African identity and independence. This explores ties between colonialism and abolitionism, and the British relationship with indigenous peoples.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 "Nelson's Ship in a Bottle by Yinka Shonibare, MBE". Art Fund. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  2. 1 2 Brown, Mark (23 April 2012). "Yinka Shonibare's ship in a bottle goes on permanent display in Greenwich". Guardian. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 "Yinka Shonibare's Message in a Bottle: Hybrid Citizen-Ship". The Studio Museum in Harlem. 13 February 2012. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  4. ↑ "Yinka Shonibare, CBE (RA) | Yinka Shonibare MBE Nelson's Ship in a Bottle". yinkashonibare.com. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  5. ↑ "Fourth plinth art with a lot of bottle joins Nelson in Trafalgar Square". London Evening Standard. 24 May 2010. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
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