Mil Veces un Instante by Teresa Margolles © James O Jenkins This September, a powerful new work by Mexican artist Teresa Margolles, Mil Veces un Instante (A Thousand Times in an Instant), was unveiled on London’s Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square. This 15th commission for the renowned public art project marks the 25th anniversary of the Fourth Plinth programme, which has hosted some of the most provocative and globally recognized contemporary art installations since its inception in 1999.
Margolles’ sculpture is a striking tribute to the trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming communities, using art to amplify marginalized voices and shed light on the ongoing struggle for recognition and rights. The work consists of 726 plaster casts of the faces of individuals from these communities, both from Mexico and the UK, made in collaboration with local groups such as Micro Rainbow and QUEERCIRCLE.
As Margolles explained in a statement, the sculpture is not only “a display of resilience and humanity from the trans plus/non-binary community but also as a reminder of the murders and disappearances that still occur, especially in Latin America,” embodying “a return to the human, the primal, the sacred.”
“At a time of relentless media, political and social pressure, Mil Veces un Instante confronts the public with the truth of our lived realities and stands as a beacon of solidarity from London to our international Trans community,” said Ashley Joiner, Director of QUEERCIRCLE.
At the core of Mil Veces un Instante is the memory of Karla, a transgender woman, folk musician, and sex worker who was a close friend of Margolles. Karla was murdered in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, in 2015, and her death remains unsolved. Her murder, representative of the violence faced by transgender individuals across Latin America, underscores the themes of the work—grief, loss, and the unrelenting fight for justice. Through the inclusion of casts from real people, infused with their hair and skin cells, the piece becomes deeply personal, giving physical form to a community that is often sidelined and endangered.
The installation’s arrangement evokes a Tzompantli, an ancient Mesoamerican skull rack used to display the remains of captives and sacrificial victims. By referencing this structure, Margolles connects the sculpture to a broader historical narrative of violence and exploitation, drawing parallels between past and present struggles for survival and dignity.
Standing 2.5 meters tall and weighing 3.3 tonnes, the sculpture will slowly erode as it is exposed to London’s weather over time. This natural aging process mirrors the transient and fragile existence of those who remain vulnerable to violence and discrimination. As the faces begin to fade, the work transforms into a powerful reminder of both the resilience and precarity of these communities.
Magolles’ practice is deeply rooted in exploring themes of violence, death and social injustice, particularly as they relate to marginalized communities in Latin America. She is known for transforming the physical remnants of violence into poignant works of art, often using unconventional materials like blood, dirt, and water from crime scenes. Through her work, she confronts audiences with the harsh realities faced by those who live in the shadows of systemic violence and neglect, urging viewers to reflect on the social and political structures that perpetuate these conditions.
Mil Veces un Instante goes beyond mere memorialization—it is a call to action. The work invites viewers to confront the ongoing marginalization of trans and non-binary people, particularly in regions like Latin America, where violence against these communities is rampant. In her statement, Margolles emphasized the dual purpose of the work: to honor those who have been lost and to celebrate the resilience of those who continue to fight for their right to live with dignity.
“At a time when the trans community is more under attack than ever it feels radical to be part of a sculpture celebrating not only our existence, but also our vast diversity. It is an honour to be represented in my home city alongside thousands of my siblings,” said Tabby Lamb, one of the many participants whose face has been represented in the sculpture.
Through Mil Veces un Instante, Margolles offers a profound meditation on identity, memory, and the enduring struggle for equality, using the power of public art to bring attention to those whose lives are too often overlooked.
