Marc Quinn‘s ‘Alison Lapper Pregnant’ was unveiled in September 2005 in Trafalgar Square.
The sculpture was one of two works selected from an original shortlist of six other artists in March 2004 and endorsed by the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone.
The sculpture, constructed in white marble, takes a unique approach to the fourth plinth. ‘Alison Lapper Pregnant’ celebrates the human spirit on a very large scale.
“The work considers questions of idealism, heroism, femininity, prejudice and identity,” Greg Hilty, director of visual arts and literature at Arts Council England, London.
“I regard it as a modern tribute to femininity, disability and motherhood. It is so rare to see disability in everyday life – let alone naked, pregnant and proud,” Alison Lapper, with whom Quinn collaborated on the piece.
The second work, Thomas Schütte’s Hotel for the Birds will be installed in April.
The Fourth Plinth had remained empty for most of its 164-year history.
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