Tschabalala Self and Andra Ursuţa have been revealed as the chosen artists to grace the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square with their sculptures in 2026 and 2028, respectively, announced today by the Fourth Plinth Commissioning Group.
The selection, made independently by the commissioning group chaired by Ekow Eshun, followed a rigorous process that included a shortlist featuring the works of Chila Kumari Singh Burman, Gabriel Chaile, Ruth Ewan, Thomas J Price, and Veronica Ryan. Input from the public played a crucial role in informing the decision-making process.
Tschabalala Self’s “Lady in Blue” piece is a tribute to the modern, cosmopolitan woman of colour, aiming to bring a contemporary representation of ‘everywoman’ to the iconic Trafalgar Square. Crafted from bronze and adorned with a patina of Lapis Lazuli blue—a pigment with a rich history dating back to antiquity—this artwork promises to make a striking statement against the backdrop of London’s bustling metropolis.
Meanwhile, Andra Ursuţa’s “Untitled” sculpture presents a thought-provoking exploration of public space and commemoration. Featuring a hollow, life-sized figure atop a horse, cloaked in a shroud and cast in slime-green resin, the artwork invites viewers to contemplate the multiple histories and narratives embedded within public sculptures, sparking timely conversations about the use and significance of communal spaces in our contemporary society.
As these visionary artists prepare to leave their mark on one of London’s most iconic landmarks, their thought-provoking sculptures promise to enrich and enliven the cultural landscape of Trafalgar Square, inviting visitors to engage with art in new and meaningful ways
.Ekow Eshun, Chair of the Fourth Plinth Commissioning Group, stated, “I would like to congratulate Tschabalala Self and Andra Ursuţa on winning the next commissions for the Fourth Plinth from an incredibly strong and exciting shortlist. Thank you to all of the artists who took the time to consider the commission and to the public for sharing their thoughts. I look forward to seeing these works created in scale for Trafalgar Square.”
The maquettes of the shortlisted artworks are on display at the National Gallery until 17 March 2024. The works are available online at www.london.gov.uk/fourthplinth and on Bloomberg Connects, a free app allowing users to access museums, galleries and cultural spaces worldwide anytime, anywhere. The Mayor of London funds the Fourth Plinth with support from Arts Council England and Bloomberg Philanthropies.
The Fourth Plinth was initiated by the RSA in 1998 and is now one of the most essential art commissions in the world. The programme invites world-class artists to make new work for Trafalgar Square, with a new sculpture installed on the Fourth Plinth every two years. The independent Fourth Plinth Commissioning Group decides on the shortlist and the displayed winning works.
The Mayor of London funds it with support from Arts Council England and Bloomberg Philanthropies. However, the Fourth Plinth Commissioning Group is entirely independent. An established part of London’s public landscape, it brings out the art critic in everyone.
The Fourth Plinth Commissioning Group Iwona Blazwick – Independent Curator and Curator Emerita Whitechapel Gallery, Mick Brundle – Principal, Arup Associates, Jeremy Deller – Artist, Ekow Eshun – Writer, Broadcaster (Chair) , Priyesh Mistry – Associate Curator, Modern and Contemporary Projects, The National Gallery, Eleanor Pinfield – Director, Art on the Underground, Justine Simons OBE – Deputy Mayor for Culture and Creative Industries, Matthew Slotover – Publisher and Co-founder of Frieze, Jon Snow – Broadcaster, Sabine Unamun – Director, Visual Arts and Museums, London, Arts Council England
Fourth Plinth Commissions
1999: Ecce Homo by Mark Wallinger
2000: Regardless of History by Bill Woodrow
2001: Monument by Dame Rachel Whiteread
2005: Alison Lapper Pregnant by Marc Quinn
2007: Model for a Hotel by Thomas Schuette
2009: One & Other by Sir Antony Gormley OBE
2010: Nelson’s Ship in a Bottle by Yinka Shonibare CBE
2012: Powerless Structures, Fig 101 by Elmgreen & Dragset
2013: Hahn/Cock by Katharina Fritsch
2015: Gift Horse by Hans Haacke
2016: Good by David Shrigley OBE
2018: The Invisible Enemy Should Not Exist by Michael Rakowitz
2020: THE END by Heather Phillipson
2022: Antelope by Samson Kambalu
Tags
Andra Ursuța, Fourth Plinth, Trafalgar Square, Tschabalala Self
