Mexican artist Teresa Margolles unveiled the sculpture “A Thousand Times an Instant” on Wednesday in London’s famous Trafalgar Square. Credit: Kin Cheung / AP
The sculpture was unveiled in the presence of officials from London City Hall, which commissioned the work, located opposite the National Gallery. Credit: Kin Cheung / AP
“A Thousand Times an Instant” is 2.5 meters tall and weighs 3.3 tons. Credit: Kin Cheung / AP
The sculpture, which Margolles worked on starting in 2021, is made up of plaster casts of the faces of 726 transgender and nonbinary people. Credit: Kin Cheung / AP
Transgender community groups gathered in London for the unveiling of Margolles’ work. Credit: Kin Cheung / AP
With the work, Margolles highlights the rights of the community, with faces of trans people from the United Kingdom and Mexico. Credit: Kin Cheung / AP
Due to the materials used in the work – plaster and water – Margolles’ sculpture will change shape over the two years it is scheduled to be on display in Trafalgar Square. Credit: Justin Tallis / AFP
“It’s a process-based work, where biodiversity, climate, animals, birds, wind, are going to make it merge,” the artist explained. Credit: Justin Tallis / AFP
The work refers to a kind of Tzompantli, a wall where the skulls of sacrificed people were inserted in pre-Hispanic times. Credit: Justin Tallis / AFP
Margolles’ “A Thousand Times in an Instant” will remain in the famous London square until September 2026. Credit: Kin Cheung / AP
