Venus of Trafalgar

Square's naked sculpture revealed

Not being one for sculpture, I don't know whether this is a good or bad example of the genre but it's fascinating and certainly seems to be courting controversy already.

'Robert Simon, editor of the British Art Journal, said: "I think it is horrible. Not because of the subject matter I hasten to add. [I have a] lot of time for Alison Lapper. I think she is very brave, very wonderful (my emphasis) but it is just a rather repellent artefact - very shiny, slimy surface, machine-made, much too big... "'

I don't know whether I am maligning Mr Simon but the 'very brave, very wonderful' phrase seems to me to be akin to saying, some of my best friends are disabled/black/gay.

'The Disability Rights Commission called it "powerful and arresting", ... Ms Lapper, from Shoreham, West Sussex, sat for the artist when she was eight months pregnant. She has called it a "modern tribute to femininity, disability and motherhood".'

And me?
It seems to have two distinct parts in my opinion. The face is very strong, classically heroic - like a greek or roman sculpture. And then the body is so obviously feminine. The body reminds me quite forcfully of those ancient statuettes (known as Venus figurines) with big boobs and a big belly, thought to symbolise fertility and plenty.

No doubt the debate will rage in certain quarters - shocking nudity, positive role model, objectifying disability, feminism, motherhood, political correctness, etc.

So, what do you think?