For anyone who may not already have seen it, this is the latest offering for Trafalgar Square's vacant fourth plinth.
Works occupying the space are temporary, and usually have nothing in common with the 'heroic' theme of the square's other monuments.
This current one (above) is by American artist, Tshabalala Self, and we are told that it represents 'Everywoman'. It is entitled 'Lady in Blue'.
I really don't know what to say about it. It is cartoon-like, gaudy, and looks totally out of place. It lacks any dignity usually associated with Trafalgar Square.
Is it supposed to be sending me some hidden message? Is the person depicted someone of importance? I really have no idea. It looks as if it would be better situated outside a KFC Chicken shop.
There have been some strange occupants of the fourth plinth, and I cannot imagine what Lord Nelson would have thought about them. Not too much methinks! I hear that London's Mayor, Sadiq Khan, turned-down the proposal of a statue commemorating our late Queen, in favour of this blue woman.
This one will remain in place until 2028, when it will be replaced by (what looks like) a big lump of greenish glass, by Andra Ursuta, and is entitled 'Untitled'.
This (below) is what the fourth plinth looks like in it's unoccupied state. Occasionally it's preferable than when occupied.
In the background are The National Gallery (left), and St Martin in the Fields (right).
N.B. If you ever happen to be in central London, and are looking for somewhere interesting to have lunch, may I recommend the wonderful café in the vaulted crypt beneath St Martin's.
Art is art whether we like it or not. So I never judge , she did some vety colourful paintings and "collages".
ReplyDeleteI visited the Crypt Café two years ago when being in London, the place is astonishing and a bit oppressing, The real surprise was that it is a self service café with people queuing to fill their plates. Much noise and not a cosy ätmosphere like in so many other London pubs and cafés. My sister lived at Walton Place , a 10 minutes walk away from Harrods, a very nice district. She passed away so no longer visits to London. Sigh.
All art is subjective. My own taste is very different to the mainstream. This particular work leaves me 'indifferent'.
DeleteThe brick vaulting at the crypt café is superb. A very special location.
Yes of course art is a personal emotional or indifferent feeling. The crypt is beautiful , but the café no thanks.
DeleteYou've got me stumped as well Cro. I was trying to think of what possible connection this could have with anything and all I could come up with was 'I'm every woman' song by Whitney Houston and later Chaka Khan. There is a 'Lady in Red' of course, but 'Lady in Blue'? I've really no idea, I'm sure one of your other readers will come up with something!
ReplyDeleteWhen I heard that they could have had a statue of our late Queen instead, I was amazed. But that's Khan's London for you.
DeleteAre you kidding ! A fourth plinth and That? In Trafalgar Square? Looks like classic AI.
ReplyDeleteHomer Simpson is hiding just behind!
DeleteI love the Lady in Blue. What is dignity like ?She brings some joy to this grey place.
ReplyDeleteI'm pleased that you like it. It would be awful if it was universally derided.
DeleteI wonder if Tshabala Self's work was copied or influenced by neo-mannerist artist Ernie Barnes who painted that well known work 'The Sugar Shack.'
ReplyDeleteBut then Lord Sir Mighty Mayor Khan (Can anyone tell me why he was even knighted) always does the opposite of what we want.
Our late Queen would have been the perfect subject for the Fourth Plinth.
The Sugar Shack..
https://artincontext.org/the-sugar-shack-by-ernie-barnes/
British nostalgia for the past. Go and visit Madame Tussauds wax museum.you can admire the late and the new queen and say hello. Lol
DeleteCould it almost be plagiarism? The Sugar Shack characters are surprisingly similar.
DeleteAs others have said art is subjective. This one is not to my taste but not many have been.
ReplyDeleteFact check: Khan didn’t reject a statue of QE2
The Lady in Blue was given preference over QE 11.
DeleteBased on the research I did on the subject, the claim was flagged as false.
DeleteYou've probably been reading The Guardian.
DeleteYes, I do read the Guardian as well as others, including The Times and the daily Mail. I did not get my get the info of the ERII from those sources. It is quite easy to fact check things…for example how much of its medicine the UK imports from Israel. I understand differing points of view but am bothered by erroneous data.
DeleteSir Sadiq has put his weight behind the erection of a permanent and dignified statue of our late queen - that is to stand on horseback in St James's Park.He possibly thought the impermanent fourth plinth idea would be inappropriate and a little "cheap" - like the awful idea from Tshabalala Self, who isn't even British but has the right surname for such a vanity project.
ReplyDeleteThere HAS to be an important statue to the late Queen. St James's Park is certainly one good location. There should be others too.
DeleteI believe there are 10 monuments to Queen Victoria in London alone.
DeleteThe fourth plinth is for temporary art pieces. If we did have a statue of Queen Elizabeth , no one would ever want to take it down. Lady in a blue dress. Could have had Marg Simpson. Wouldn't even need a title. Everyone loves Marg.
ReplyDeleteAt least Marge Simpson would have made people smile; more than one can say about The Lady in Blue.
DeleteI wish someone would throw a tin of paint at it. Any colour. That would make it more interesting. Or perhaps that would be inciting violence.
ReplyDeleteThe only people who would throw paint (or soup) at it would be people with high artistic credentials, and they're not really the type of people who do such things!
DeleteHow stupid and childish.
DeleteAgreed. Stupid and childish to say someone should throw paint over it. You might think it is awful but no need to encourage vandalism!
DeleteHa ha. The trolls have bitten the bait. No sense of humour whatsoever.
DeleteWell, at least they agree that the Lefty idiots who throw paint over monuments are 'Stupid and Childish'.
DeleteQuite honestly it looks like the depiction of a black woman from a 1930s cartoon that would be slammed as a racist stereotype normally!
ReplyDeleteThat was my first thought. A 'Black Mammy' cook or maid.
DeleteStereotype about black woman.
DeleteYou can almost hear the accent!
DeleteThis might interest you
ReplyDeletehttps://www.theguardian.com/news/ng-interactive/2026/sep/13/france-disappearing-bistros-rural-french-village
Good for them. It's such a shame to see so many restaurants either closing or become places you wouldn't frequent. They not only need to stay open, but they also need to serve good quality home-cooked food.
DeleteArt inspires thought, not always good thoughts, I like this one. If we don't show art that people get upset about. we are not showing enough art.
ReplyDeleteYou are quite right. We need people to dislike, in order for others to like.
DeleteIt is not art. It is crap !
ReplyDeleteThat's a bit harsh. It may not be to your taste (as it isn't to mine), but some people seem to like it.
DeleteWell, it's not my favorite but I guess art is subjective. At least it makes one do a double take!
ReplyDeleteWe'll be sending it back to you in two years time!!!
DeleteNo thanks! Hahaha!
DeleteThe Emperor is not wearing any clothes.
ReplyDeleteNice observation!!!
DeleteIf a white female artist had created that she would have been cancelled. It's a stereotype of black females. Not one woman I know is built like that nor does she stride along like that.
ReplyDeleteAs I said above, my first impression was of a 'Black Mamma', directly out of Gone with the Wind.
DeleteIs this your image of black women ? Servants for white people ?
Delete