A new sculpture by New York based artist Tschabalala Self will be unveiled on London’s Fourth Plinth on 10 September 2026. Lady in Blue will be the 16th Fourth Plinth commission since the programme began in 1998 and will follow on from Mil Veces un Instante (A Thousand Times in an Instant) by Teresa Margolles, which is currently in situ.
Lady in Blue 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 work will be patinated with Lapis Lazuli blue, a rare and refined pigment that has been used 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 and over 10,000 comments were received. These helped to inform 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 figurehead to commemorate. She is a woman walking forward into our collective future with ambition and purpose. She is a Londoner, who represents the city’s spirit. I have London to thank for so many milestones in my practice. I had my first institutional show here, and later the first presentation of my first major painting series. The city has truly supported my artistic development and is the best possible home for this powerful figure.”
Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries said:
“The Fourth Plinth is the world’s most renowned sculpture commission and Lady in Blue by Tschabalala Self will be a powerful contribution to the series. Her bold contemporary sculpture of a confident young woman will be a striking addition to this historical part of our city, inspiring Londoners, tourists and art lovers alike.”
The Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square is one of the most important art commissions worldwide, putting new work by internationally renowned artists into the heart of London. 15 works have been displayed on the iconic site since Ecce Homo by Mark Wallinger was unveiled in 1999.
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.
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 Fourth Plinth is funded by the Mayor of London with support from Arts Council England and Bloomberg Philanthropies.
