Tschabalala Self, the New York-born artist known for her vibrant and politically engaged sculptures, is preparing for the unveiling of her latest public artwork, *Lady in Blue*, on the fourth plinth in London’s Trafalgar Square. The painted bronze piece depicts a black woman confidently striding forward, embodying themes of optimism and empowerment.
Self’s anticipation for the new sculpture follows a difficult experience in 2022, when her previous public piece, *Seated*, faced racist vandalism shortly after being moved to the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex. The large, brightly painted bronze sculpture of a black woman seated on a chair had initially been displayed without incident at Coal Drops Yard in King’s Cross, London. Within a week at the pavilion, vandals sprayed white paint solely on the figure’s skin—a targeted act that Self described as an expression of violence against a work she created with care and affection.
In response to the defacement, the De La Warr Pavilion initially planned a protest, but Self advocated instead for a community cleanup event. Hundreds of people participated in removing the paint, restoring the work without requiring professional restoration. Reflecting on the experience, Self acknowledged it was not her first encounter with racism but marked the first time a sculpture of hers had been defaced.
Born in Harlem in 1990, Self has gained international recognition for her unique style that combines collaged pop figuration with political idealism. Her work is held in major institutions including New York’s Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim, and the Whitney Museum of American Art, as well as Vienna’s Albertina Museum. She has also been featured in exhibitions at the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles and the Institute of Contemporary Art Boston, and is represented by prominent galleries worldwide.
Self’s artistic approach is characterized by vivid colors and a joyful celebration of everyday bodies, drawing comparisons to the French pop modernist Niki de Saint Phalle. Central to her work is the idea that all individuals should feel embodied, confident, and empowered in their physicality, which she describes as a fundamental human right. She often emphasizes that mere personhood is an act of dignity and courage, a message that sometimes contrasts with the more conceptual art typically featured on Trafalgar Square’s Fourth Plinth.
Despite past challenges, Self remains optimistic about *Lady in Blue*, viewing it as a hopeful symbol of progress and resilience. Her outlook underscores the larger conversation about representation and empowerment in public art spaces.