A chance link sent us back in time to 2005 and Marc Quinn’s first Fourth Plinth Project effort called “Alison Lapper Pregnant.” Quinn was caught up in several ideas ranging from the phallic nature of Nelson’s column at the center of Trafalgar Square to ideas about heroism in our own age:

‘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.’

Fourth Plinth: Marc Quinn (London.Gov.uk)