Lady in Blue by Tschabalala Self unveiled on Trafalgar Square's Fourth Plinth

London's Fourth Plinth has a new resident. On 10 September 2026, artist Tschabalala Self unveiled her bronze sculpture Lady in Blue in Trafalgar Square, becoming the 16th commission since the programme began in 1998. The nine foot tall figure depicts an everyday young woman rendered in vivid blue, with jewellery echoing the colour of lapis lazuli.

Lady in Blue unveiled by artist Tschabalala Self on Trafalgar Square’s Fourth Plinth in London. Thursday 10 September, 2026. PA Photo. The artwork is the 16th Fourth Plinth in commission since the programme began and pays homage to young metropolitan women, reflecting many of today’s Londoners. Photo credit Jeff Spicer / PA Media Assignments.

Self, a New York born artist known for exploring the human figure through painting, printmaking and sculpture, said the figure is "not an idol to venerate or a historic figure to commemorate." She was selected for the commission back in March 2024 alongside artist Andra Ursuța, whose own work is slated to take the plinth in 2028. Both artists were chosen independently by the Fourth Plinth Commissioning Group, chaired by Ekow Eshun, with public feedback factored into the final decision.

Artist Tschabalala Self unveils her artwork, Lady in Blue, on Trafalgar Square's Fourth Plinth in London. Photo credit Jeff Spicer, PA Media Assignments

City officials welcomed the installation enthusiastically. Deputy Mayor for Culture Justine Simons described the piece as "monumental in scale, but at the same time relatable." Eshun, chair of the commissioning group, said the sculpture "transforms the everyday into the monumental." The unveiling kicks off London Sculpture Week (19 to 27 September), which unites five major public art initiatives across the city, including Frieze Sculpture and The Line.

Lady in Blue unveiled by artist Tschabalala Self on Trafalgar Square’s Fourth Plinth in London. Thursday 10 September, 2026. PA Photo. The artwork is the 16th Fourth Plinth in commission since the programme began and pays homage to young metropolitan women, reflecting many of today’s Londoners. Photo credit Jeff Spicer / PA Media Assignments.

Lady in Blue is currently on show in Trafalgar Square. However, its stay there is temporary, as is customary for the Fourth Plinth programme, which rotates a new artwork in every two years. Once its London run ends, the sculpture will relocate permanently to Fornebu, Norway.

The Fourth Plinth programme continues to be funded by the Mayor of London, Arts Council England and Bloomberg Philanthropies, though the commissioning decisions remain independent of political influence.

Click here for a visual preview of Lady in Blue by Tschabalala Self.