A new sculpture titled ‘Lady In Blue’ by New York artist Tschabalala Self has been unveiled on Trafalgar Square’s Fourth Plinth, bringing a contemporary “everywoman” to the historic London site. The bronze and blue figure aims to represent an ordinary Londoner, symbolising ambition and purpose for the city’s collective future.

A Modern Vision for Trafalgar Square

The ‘Lady In Blue’ is the 16th artwork to feature on the Fourth Plinth since the commissioning programme began in 1998. It replaces ‘Mil Veces un Instante’ by Teresa Margolles, offering a striking contrast to the surrounding 19th-century landmarks like Nelson’s Column and Landseer’s Lions, according to CNN. The sculpture, described as an anonymous young Black woman wearing a form-fitting blue dress, matching heels, and glass beaded jewellery, stands out with its powerful, non-static stride.

Artist Tschabalala Self stated her intention was to put an ordinary contemporary Londoner on a site usually associated with monarchs and military commanders. She remarked, “My work Lady In Blue will bring to Trafalgar Square a woman that many can relate to.” Self added, “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,” as reported by the BBC.

The figure is patinated with a pigment refined from Lapis Lazuli, a semi-precious stone used by artists for millennia, giving it a luscious collision of brown flesh and heavenly blue, noted The Guardian. This choice connects the statue to historical art while presenting a contemporary subject.

Significance and Representation for London

The ‘Lady In Blue’ holds significant meaning for London and the wider UK, standing as one of the rare statues in the country depicting a Black woman. Self, known for her depictions of the Black female body, expressed that she wants people to “feel free to exist as they are without explanation.” While acknowledging the importance of representation, she stressed that it is not the sole focal point, aiming instead for the public to see themselves reflected and for the figure to “just become a Londoner at the end of the day.”

Ekow Eshun, chair of the Fourth Plinth Commissioning Group, highlighted how ‘Lady In Blue’ “transforms the everyday into the monumental.” Justine Simons, the deputy mayor for culture and the creative industries, also described the work as a striking addition to a historic part of the city. The Guardian further praised the sculpture as a “carnivalesque masterpiece” that “fills the fourth plinth with humour, fun and life,” offering a “lifeline” in a challenging world by upholding diversity and equality.

The Fourth Plinth itself has a unique history, having been left empty for over 150 years after funds for an equestrian statue of William IV ran out. The commissioning programme, started by the RSA in 1998, has since seen a new sculpture installed roughly every two years, each adding to the city’s public art landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions About ‘Lady In Blue’

• Who is the artist behind ‘Lady In Blue’?
  The ‘Lady In Blue’ sculpture was created by New York artist Tschabalala Self, who was born in 1990 and works across painting, printmaking, and sculpture.
• What does the ‘Lady In Blue’ represent?
  Tschabalala Self intended the ‘Lady In Blue’ to represent a contemporary “everywoman” or an ordinary Londoner, embodying ambition and purpose as she walks forward into our collective future.
• How long will the ‘Lady In Blue’ sculpture remain on the Fourth Plinth?
  ‘Lady In Blue’ will stand on London’s Fourth Plinth for the next two years.