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Trafalgar Square's fourth plinth, situated in its north-west corner, is the subject of much speculation in London's artworld.

While the other pedestals bear past prominent Brits, this one was left vacant after a plan to install a sculpture of William IV was aborted due to insufficient funds.

150 years of prevarication ensued as to how the plinth should be repurposed until 1998, when it became the stage for biannually updated contemporary artworks.

The National Gallery is currently housing an exhibition of the artworks of the six shortlisted artists, each competing to have their work in pride of place.

Commissioning Group chair and exhibit judge, Ekow Eshun, feels deeply about the aim of the project.

Decisions will be made in June as to which artist's creation will supersede the plinth's existing masterpiece, an extraordinary work named "The End" by Heather Phillipson.

In the running to crown the highly prized rostrum are works including a colossal rocket and 850 cast faces from the transgender community.

There's a tower filled with greenery, a folk tale character from Germany, a jewellery hanger decorated with domestic utensils and a 3D rendition of a photo from 1914.

Ekow Eshun details how gallery viewers' reactions to the works will be documented and considered even though it's the official panel's votes that will count.

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