Fourth Plinth commissions announced by Fourth Plinth Commissioning Group

Tschabalala Self and Andra Ursuţa were today announced by the Fourth Plinth Commissioning Group as the artists chosen to have their sculptures installed on the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square in 2026 and 2028 respectively. They were selected from a shortlist which included Chila Kumari Singh Burman; Gabriel Chaile; Ruth Ewan; Thomas J Price and Veronica Ryan.

The winning artworks were independently chosen by the Fourth Plinth Commissioning Group, chaired by Ekow Eshun. The public were invited to have their say, which informed the decision of the commissioning group.

Lady in Blue by Tschabalala Self pays homage to a young, metropolitan woman of colour inspired by a desire to bring a contemporary ‘everywoman’ to Trafalgar Square. Made of bronze, the work will be patinated with Lapis Lazuli blue, a rare and refined pigment that has been used since antiquity. 

Untitled by Andra Ursuţa sees the artist present a hollow, life-sized person on a horse covered in a shroud and cast in a slime-green resin. The sculpture embodies multiple histories of public sculpture and commemoration at a time when there is increasing debate about the use of public space.

The Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square is one of the most important art commissions worldwide, putting new work by internationally renowned artists into the heart of London. This year marks 25 years since the first work, Ecce Homo by Mark Wallinger, was unveiled in 1999. 14 works have been displayed on the iconic site to date, with Samson Kambalu’s Antelope currently in situ.  Improntas (Imprints) by Teresa Margolles has already been announced as the next sculpture on the Fourth Plinth and will be installed in September 2024. 

Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and Creative Industries said:

"I'm delighted that Tschabalala Self and Andra Ursuţa have been selected as the next artists to display their work on the world-renowned Fourth Plinth. These artists were chosen from a fantastic shortlist that has inspired debate among Londoners. The sculpture prize has entertained and brought out the art critic in everybody for 25 years, and I have no doubt these two very different pieces will continue that fine tradition."

Ekow Eshun, Chair of the Fourth Plinth Commissioning Group, said:

 “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 taking the time to share their thoughts. I look forward to seeing these works created in scale for Trafalgar Square.”

Jemma Read, Global Head of Corporate Philanthropy at Bloomberg LP, said:

"The Fourth Plinth is an iconic commissioning programme that embodies London's spirit of openness and the important role public art plays in inspiring debate and discussion. We're proud to build on our partnership with the Mayor of London to support these extraordinary commissions and to enable audiences around the world to engage with past and present installations through the free guide on Bloomberg Connects."

The maquettes of the shortlisted artworks are on display at the National Gallery until 17 March 2024. The works are available to view online at www.london.gov.uk/fourthplinth and on Bloomberg Connects, a free app that allows users to access museums, galleries and cultural spaces around the world anytime, anywhere.

The Fourth Plinth is funded by the Mayor of London with support from Arts Council England and Bloomberg Philanthropies.