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Tschabalala Self Fourth Plinth installation

Overview

New York-based artist Tschabalala Self has unveiled ‘Lady in Blue’ as the 16th commission for the Fourth Plinth in London’s Trafalgar Square. The five-meter-tall bronze sculpture depicts an anonymous young Black woman in a form-fitting blue dress, heels, and beaded jewelry, utilizing pigment derived from lapis lazuli.

Self describes the figure as a contemporary ‘everywoman’ intended to represent ambition, agency, and a personhood that transcends identity politics. The artist stated the work aims to shift focus from historical monuments of monarchs and military commanders toward a shared collective future, noting that ‘Black people need to be understood as being persons.’

The installation has drawn mixed reactions. While City Hall and various media outlets have praised the work as a symbol of confidence, some members of the public have criticized the sculpture as a product of identity politics. The piece is scheduled to remain in Trafalgar Square for two years before being relocated permanently to Fornebu, Norway, following acquisition by a private foundation.

Entities

Trafalgar Square · Tschabalala Self · Fourth Plinth · Arts Council England · Justine Simons

Timeline

  1. [CULTURE] 2 sources
    Tschabalala Self unveils ‘Lady in Blue’ on London’s Fourth Plinth

    Artist Tschabalala Self has unveiled ‘Lady in Blue,’ a monumental bronze sculpture of a contemporary Black woman, on London’s Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square.

  2. [CULTURE] 13 sources
    Tschabalala Self unveils ‘Lady in Blue’ sculpture in London

    Artist Tschabalala Self has unveiled ‘Lady in Blue’ on London’s Fourth Plinth, a bronze sculpture of a contemporary Black woman intended to represent the city’s collective future.

Sources

abc17news.com · artcentron.com · artnews.com · artnewspaper.fr · artsjournal.com · ca.sports.yahoo.com · demokracija.si · freerepublic.com · imolaoggi.it · krdo.com · louderwithcrowder.com · nemosnewsnetwork.com · thelibertydaily.com · theoccidentalobserver.net · usaartnews.com