The unveiling of the latest sculpture in London’s iconic Trafalgar Square has ignited controversy, with critics deriding the cartoonish figure as “hideous political trash.”
Trafalgar Square has a rich history of hosting various art installations, with the Fourth Plinth showcasing a rotating array of artworks since 1999. While the replacement of sculptures is not unexpected, detractors are dismayed that the latest addition does not seem to represent the native London population.
The sculpture in question, titled “Lady in Blue,” depicts a black woman with abstract proportions, characterized by elongated arms and prominently accentuated buttocks and legs. Artist Tschabalala Self described the piece as a tribute to “a young, metropolitan woman of color,” according to a statement obtained by the Art Newspaper.
Putting the obvious leftist race politics aside why is the proposal so ugly. It's almost laughable how hideous it is. pic.twitter.com/1A0BwgBwqR
— Based London Jew (@Based_LDN_Jew) March 15, 2024
Self, an American hailing from New York City, has garnered considerable acclaim for her distinctive portrayals of black and primarily female figures, as noted in a 2020 report by the publication.
Criticism of the sculpture quickly surfaced, with some attributing its aesthetic flaws to leftist race politics. One Londoner on X commented, “Putting the obvious leftist race politics aside, why is the proposal so ugly? It’s almost laughable how hideous it is.”
Another critic lamented, “It’s laughably intentionally ugly so British people get the message. ChatGPT would have generated something better proportioned. Maybe we will get lucky and someone will tear this one down too.”
Laughably, intentionally ugly so British people get the message. ChatGPT would have generated something better portioned. Maybe we will get lucky and someone will tear this one down too. 🤞 pic.twitter.com/nPaj8Tdpzx
— Cyber_Fury.exe (@SartorialCyber) March 15, 2024
Additional scrutiny focused on the peculiar proportions of the depicted woman, with critics noting, “Not only is it hideously ugly, but the basic anatomy is all wrong. Her legs are too long for her torso, which is shorter than her thigh. Her elbows reach to her hip, and her fingers almost reach her knees. She has the bodily proportions of an ape. Absolutely abysmal.”
The new sculpture is slated to replace the current installation, the Antelope, which portrays African anti-colonialist preacher John Chilembwe and his British missionary friend, John Chorley, in what is now Malawi. “Lady in Blue” is scheduled to be showcased on the Fourth Plinth in 2026.
