Written in Soap: A Plinth Project

This is a statue made of soap of the Duke of Cumberland, the original of which (in stone) sat on this plinth from 1770 to 1868. This is the 1st time for 144 years that this plinth in Cavendish Square will have been occupied and we are told that the idea is that it will bring focus to the passage of time as the sculpture weathers. The original Duke was removed in the 19th century following disapproval of his actions n Scotland following his victory at the Battle of Culoden in 1746. So additional meaning in the soap sculpture is that as the detail softens over time this will symbolise the mutable meanings we attach to public monuments and our history.

The sculpture is by the Korean artist Meekyoung Shin. (and the soap was donated by Lush!)