Tschabalala Self and Andra Ursuţa Win London's Fourth Plinth Commission
Tschabalala Self and Andra Ursuţa have been chosen for the Fourth Plinth commissions in Trafalgar Square, London, with their artworks set to be revealed in 2026 and 2028, respectively. Self's piece, 'Lady in Blue,' features a large bronze sculpture of a young woman of color in a blue dress and heels, which the artist describes as 'a walking icon of the everyday' and 'a Londoner embodying the city's essence.' Ursuţa's 'Untitled' presents a hollow, translucent, slime-green resin equestrian statue shrouded, addressing discussions on colonial legacy in public art. The plinth, constructed in 1841 for a statue of William IV that was never realized, remained vacant until 1999. The commission is supported by the Mayor of London, Arts Council England, and Bloomberg Philanthropies.
Key facts
- Tschabalala Self's 'Lady in Blue' will be unveiled on the Fourth Plinth in 2026.
- Andra Ursuţa's 'Untitled' will follow in 2028.
- Self's sculpture is a bronze of a young woman of colour in a blue dress and heels.
- Ursuţa's work is a hollow resin cast of a shrouded equestrian statue.
- The plinth was built in 1841 for a statue of William IV but remained empty until 1999.
- The commission is funded by the Mayor of London, Arts Council England, and Bloomberg Philanthropies.
- The shortlist included Chila Kumari Singh Burman, Gabriel Chaile, Ruth Ewan, Thomas J Price, and Veronica Ryan.
- Current plinth works include Samson Kambalu's 'Antelope' and Teresa Margolles's 'Improntas'.
Entities
Artists
- Tschabalala Self
- Andra Ursuţa
- Mark Wallinger
- Rachel Whiteread
- Yinka Shonibare
- Heather Phillipson
- Samson Kambalu
- Teresa Margolles
- Chila Kumari Singh Burman
- Gabriel Chaile
- Ruth Ewan
- Thomas J Price
- Veronica Ryan
Institutions
- Fourth Plinth
- Mayor of London
- Arts Council England
- Bloomberg Philanthropies
Locations
- London
- Trafalgar Square
- New York
- Romania