26th July 2022 by Frances

James Burke

Further footsteps…

James Burke In Anticipation 2018, painted steel tubing, Principal Place, 111 Worship Street, EC2.

Burke, British sculptor, was selected for this public art commission from a group of international entries. Sited in a public space outside Amazon’s London head quarters, his entry was chosen because it embodied ‘the spirit and energy of Shoreditch’. A giant, blue linear figure is poised leaning on a plinth, referencing the traditional plinth often used in public spaces to elevate heroic figures. Burke hopes this figure with its feet ‘firmly planted on the ground’ is more ‘relatable’ ‘more human’. He said the figure is inspired by ‘the limitless possibilities of our next thought, move and action’ and aims to reflect the ‘non- conformist’ and creative culture of Shoreditch. Burke says the narrative of the sculpture is open to interpretation, as it is imbued with ‘suspense, vulnerability, optimism and possibility.’ He said he is giving the ‘first part of the story and asking the viewer to fill in the blanks.’ Sited just north of Bruce McLean’s sculpture, it connects materially to ‘Eye-I’ as well as conceptually to McLean’s performance piece ‘Pose work for plinths’ 1971, an ironic and humorous commentary on the pomposity of the plinth, which had already been challenged by his tutor, Anthony Caro, in the 1960s.

Burke hopes that the sculpture becomes a meeting point, a place where people can ‘connect and engage and create new stories.’ He says that ‘we’re living in uncertain times. We’re not sure what’s around the corner.’ ‘With any moment of change there’s opportunity and possibility and that’s what this piece really tries to capture.’

This engaging sculpture can be added to the Emerald Walk, a few minutes walk north of number 7, Bruce Mc Lean’s sculpture.