Art and Culture: Tschabalala Self’s Lady in Blue Brings Colour and Contemporary Womanhood to Trafalgar Square, London

It is a delight to see Tschabalala Self’s sculpture Lady in Blue finally installed and unveiled on the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square, London. A 10-foot-tall bronze depiction of a contemporary metropolitan “everywoman”, she wears a flowing dress patinated in a vibrant lapis lazuli blue, creating an arresting presence against the architecture and historic surroundings of one of London’s most iconic public spaces.

Tschabalala Self’s sculpture: Lady in Blue, taking pride of place in Trafalgar Square, London,
in the company of Nelson's Column.
Photo by Lucia Carpio

Self’s proposal  was voted in the public ballot called by the Mayor of London - Sadiq Khan, so it is particularly satisfying to see the finished work now taking its place in Trafalgar Square.

The Fourth Plinth is regarded as one of the world’s most important public art commissions, bringing new work by internationally renowned artists to the heart of London. Lady in Blue is the 16th commission since the programme began and follows Mil Veces un Instante (A Thousand Times in an Instant) by Mexican artist Teresa Margolles.

Tschabalala Self's Lady in Blue will remain in Trafalgar Square until August 1, 2028. 
Photo by Lucia Carpio

Set against a beautiful blue sky on a warm autumn day, Lady in Blue makes a particularly striking impression. The work pays homage to a young metropolitan woman – a “quotidian figure” reflecting many of today’s Londoners – and was inspired by Self’s desire to bring a contemporary “everywoman” to Trafalgar Square.

Colour plays an important role in the sculpture’s visual identity. Made from bronze, the figure’s dress is painted a vibrant blue, while her jewellery replicates the rich colour of lapis lazuli, a rare rock that has been used as a pigment since antiquity. The intense blue gives the figure an immediate visual presence while also connecting the contemporary work with a much longer history of colour, adornment and artistic representation.

 Tschabalala Self’s Fourth Plinth commission: Lady in Blue in Trafalgar Square, with the National Gallery and St Martin-in-the-Field Anglican Church behind it.
Photo by Lucia Carpio

The work also demonstrates how fashion, art and public sculpture can intersect. The figure’s distinctive silhouette and intensely coloured dress are central to her visual impact, transforming clothing from a simple element of the figure into a powerful statement of identity, presence and self-expression.

Before the final decision was made, maquettes of the seven shortlisted proposals were displayed at the National Gallery, giving the public an opportunity to see the competing designs and cast their votes. More than 10,000 people participated, offering their views and feedback as part of the selection process.

Although the ultimate decision was made by the independent Fourth Plinth Commissioning Group, the public’s votes and comments played an important role in informing its final choice. The result is a monumental bronze “everywoman” whose vibrant blue dress gives the work an unmistakably contemporary visual language.

The New York-based artist is also presenting a concurrent special project in the viewing room at Pilar Corrias Gallery, London, which delves deeper into her concept of the “quotidian figure”. The project runs until 7 November, offering a further opportunity to explore Self’s distinctive approach to representing everyday figures and contemporary identity.

Photos by Lucia Carpio