The latest fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square: Antelope by Samson Kambalu
On a recent walk through Trafalgar Square, I saw the latest fourth plinth, a sculpture restaging a 1914 photograph of Baptist preacher and pan-Africanist John Chilembwe and European missionary John Chorley at the opening of Chilembwe’s new church in Nyasaland, now Malawi.
Chilembwe wears a hat in an act of defiance, defying the colonial rule that forbade Africans from wearing hats in front of white people. A year later, he led an uprising against colonial rule; Chilembwe was killed and his church was destroyed by the colonial police.
The artist elevates this story by making Chilembwe larger than life, while Chorley remains life-size.
This is the 14th commission in the Mayor of London’s Fourth Plinth Programme, and will be on display until 2024.
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Copyright Debbie Smyth, 7 November 2022
Posted as part of Becky’s WalkingSquares
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Travel with Intent 
Cool!
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Wonderful photos Debbie. We walked everywhere in London 🙂
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Great photo set Debbie and an interesting sculpture.
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Thanks Jude. This one is rather more real than previous plinth sculptures.
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I love all the angles you captured. 😀 😀
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Thanks Cee – it’s a bit of a challenge to capture as it’s high up and the sun gets in the way! 🙂
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You’ve made a really impactful set of photos here.
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Thanks Margaret. You’ll enjoy this next time you’re down, I’m sure. Part of our history that we should know more about
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Looking forward to it!
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Great memories for me as a tourist. Thanks for taking me back!
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I’m glad you enjoyed it
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When I worked in London I occasionally walked back through Trafalgar Square to Waterloo, was always fun.
Loving these statues on the 4th plinth, real history
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Ah, a good walk. London is such a walkable city
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