Lady in Blue unveiled on London’s Fourth Plinth

Lady in Blue unveiled on London’s Fourth Plinth

 

Lady in Blue by artist Tschabalala Self was unveiled on London’s Fourth Plinth today, 10 September 2026.  The Fourth Plinth is one of the most important art commissions worldwide and places new work by internationally renowned artists in the heart of London.

 

Lady in Blue is the 16th Fourth Plinth commission since the programme began and follows on from Mil Veces un Instante (A Thousand Times in an Instant) by Teresa Margolles. The work pays homage to a young, metropolitan woman — a quotidian figure — reflecting many of today’s Londoners.  The work was inspired by a desire to bring a contemporary ‘everywoman’ to Trafalgar Square. 

 

Made of bronze, the dress is painted a vibrant blue and the jewellery worn by the figure replicates the colour of lapis lazuli, a rare rock which has been used as a pigment since antiquity.

 

Self was announced as winning the commission in March 2024, along with Andra Ursuţa whose work will be unveiled on the Fourth Plinth in 2028. The artists were independently chosen by the Fourth Plinth Commissioning Group, chaired by Ekow Eshun OBE. The public were invited to have their say on the shortlisted artworks, which informed the decision of the commissioning group. 

 

Tschabalala Self said:

“My work Lady in Blue will bring to Trafalgar Square a woman that many can relate to. She is not an idol to venerate or a historic figure to commemorate. She is an everyday person much like the many who occupy the square daily. She is striding forward into our collective future with ambition, purpose and optimism. I have always found London to be an inspiring city, London is to thank for many milestones in my life. My first institutional show was held here in London, along with my first major gallery exhibition. I have come to know London as a truly global metropolis, and Lady In Blue reflects the sophistication of this city."

 

Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, said: 

“The Fourth Plinth is one of the most exciting public art commissions anywhere in the world. It places bold contemporary sculpture in the heart of the capital, free for all and enjoyed by millions of visitors to Trafalgar Square. Today marks the next chapter, as we unveil a new artwork by Tschabalala Self, one of the most compelling artists of her generation. Monumental in scale – but at the same time relatable, Lady in Blue strides confidently through the city with dignity and purpose and I know London is going to love her!”

 

Ekow Eshun OBE, Chair of the Fourth Plinth Commissioning Group, said:

"I am delighted to present this new work for the Fourth Plinth. Lady in Blue transforms the everyday into the monumental. Tschabalala Self takes the familiar figure of a woman moving through the city and gives her an extraordinary presence at the heart of London. This powerful sculpture will invite conversation about contemporary art, giving audiences a chance to engage with the work of a remarkable and inspirational artist." 

 

Lady in Blue will be a highlight of London Sculpture Week (19-27 September 2026), a city-wide collaboration that brings together five must-see cultural initiatives: Frieze Sculpture, the Fourth Plinth, East Bank, Sculpture in the City and The Line. Now in its fifth edition, this celebration of sculpture will feature public art in key locations across the capital, emphasising London's role as a vibrant cultural hub.

 

The unveiling of the work comes days after Black on the Square, a free one-day festival that took place in Trafalgar Square on 5 September 2026. The festival showcased and celebrated Black culture and creativity, including music, games, family workshops and food stalls.

 

Audiences can find out more about Lady in Blue and London Sculpture Week via Bloomberg Connects, a free digital platform providing access to museums, galleries, and cultural spaces around the world anytime, anywhere.

 

Tschabalala Self is an artist working across painting, printmaking and sculpture. Her practice explores representations of the human figure, with a particular focus on women, using sewn, printed, and painted materials. Born in New York in 1990, she lives and works in New York.

 

The Fourth Plinth is funded by the Mayor of London with support from Arts Council England and Bloomberg Philanthropies.

 

The production of Lady in Blue was supported by Pilar Corrias. The sculpture will move permanently to Fornebu, Norway, after its fixture in Trafalgar Square.