Key information
Request reference number: MGLA140926-7817
Date of response:
Summary of request
- What public consultation took place before Lady in Blue was selected, and how many people responded?
- How much of that feedback supported or opposed this design?
- How much influence did the public feedback have on the final decision?
- Were Black women or organisations representing Black women specifically consulted? If so, who was consulted?
- Was any assessment made of how this portrayal might be received by the women it is intended to represent?
- Is City Hall collecting public feedback now that the sculpture has been installed?
- Is City Hall monitoring the racist and degrading commentary surrounding it?
- How many complaints or negative responses have been received since it was unveiled?
- What was the final cost of this sculpture to the taxpayer, including the artist’s fee, production, transport, and installation?
Our response
- Please refer to FOI - Fourth Plinth Evaluation [Mar 2026] | London City Hall for information related to the decision-making process. Page 34 of the PDF response available at that link indicates the number of people who submitted a response on the shortlist.
- The online survey seeks affirmative responses and not objections.
- Please refer to FOI - Fourth Plinth Evaluation [Mar 2026] | London City Hall for information related to the decision-making process.
- Please refer to FOI - Fourth Plinth Evaluation [Mar 2026] | London City Hall for information related to the decision-making process.
- The public survey was accessible on London.gov.uk. We do not seek out feedback from specific communities on the shortlisted work. The artist Tschabalala Self is a Black woman. The sculpture is not only a representation of a Black woman but of all women.
- We do not hold that information
- We are aware of public commentary relating to the programme across a range of channels. While views expressed are varied, the programme is intended to encourage discussion and debate. The Mayor unequivocally rejects any racist, misogynistic or otherwise discriminatory comments.
- We do not hold that information
- Each artist is given a £30,000 fee for the commission and they are allocated up to £200,000 towards the production and installation of the sculpture. If the production and installation costs exceed £200,000 the artist/their representation is expected to underwrite the shortfall. This is established at the shortlist stage, where they are asked to provide evidence that these funds are available should they be required.
- Actual costs incurred by the GLA for Lady in Blue were: