Alison Lapper pregnant

Posted on October 9th, 2007 filed in Aberdare Art, Photos, S & M, Wales

Britain, Britain, Britain land of sculptures, too many of which depict a fascination for war, war, war.

And then in 2005 the Alison Lapper Pregnant by Marc Quinn was unveiled in the heart of London.

She is situated in Trafalgar Square named after the 1805 naval battle during the Napoleonic wars.

For companions she has bronze statues of British generals and other members of the warrior aristocracy.

Along with Sir Edwin Landseer’s four couchant lions guarding Nelson’s Column.

Lapper is depicted naked and heavily pregnant.

The material used is Carraran marble, also famously used for Marble Arch, London.

The sculptor Marc Quinn writes eloquently about his work thus :

“At first glance it would seem that there are few if any public sculptures of people with disabilities. However, a closer look reveals that Trafalgar Square is one of the few public spaces where one exists: Nelson on top of his column has lost an arm. I think that Alison’s portrait reactivates this dormant aspect of Trafalgar Square. Most public sculpture, especially in the Trafalgar Square and Whitehall areas, is triumphant male statuary. Nelson’s Column is the epitome of a phallic male monument and I felt that the square needed some femininity, linking with Boudicca near the Houses of Parliament. Alison’s statue could represent a new model of female heroism.In the past, heroes such as Nelson conquered the outside world. Now it seems to me they conquer their own circumstances and the prejudices of others, and I believe that Alison’s portrait will symbolise this.

I’m not physically disabled myself but from working with disabled sitters I realised how hidden different bodies are in public life and media. Her pregnancy also makes this a monument to the possibilities of the future.”

What do we think of Alison Lapper pregnant ? We were amazed and thought she was very beautiful. A worthy contribution to Trafalgar Square.

The excitement at seeing the Alison Lapper pregnant for the first time brought back memories of visiting London itself for the first time. That was as a child around twenty five years ago. As a child we thought the four lions at Trafalgar Square were gigantic beasts and that Nelson’s column was so tall, the old general atop the column would have to duck to avoid any passing planes. The lions seem much tamer nowadays.

Quinn’s comments (above) from his website are insightful. There is something subversive about this sculpture and the depiction of a “new model of female heroism”. But then that is arguably a purpose of Art : to turn one’s thinking, to subvert.

In Britain we seem to have a phobia of breasts. It is an inspiration to see a pair of paps on public display in such a striking piece of work. There is nothing vulgar or prurient in this : in sculpture, breast is best ! Mario Rutelli’s Aberystwyth War Memorial (1922) is a good example of a dramatic Welsh sculpture using the breasts (and especially the thighs) to best effect.

Finally, the choice of material is in such stark contrast to the bronzes of the generals, lions and the other figures. How does Alison Lapper look like in the dark ? It would have been nice to see how the use of lighting affected this installation. Alas, we had a bus to catch…

*

Notes : There is a collection of Alison Lapper Pregnant photographs on the Aberdare Blog Flickr website. The photos are not particularly good, as they were taken on a grey, wet and miserable September day. They may, however, provide an impression of this striking sculpture in the heart of London.

*

Alison Lapper’s website

Marc Quinn’s website