The fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square has been vacant for 150 years. During all this time the argument has been raging as to which General or notable figure image should occupy the spot. The matter has now been settled with the selection of a statue by Marc Quinn of Alison Lapper a thalidomide victim naked when she was eight months pregnant.

Whilst some may be confronted or uncomfortable with the 4.5 metre statue in white marble the subject certainly isn't. Whilst unable to attend the ceremony, because she was holidaying in South Africa with Parys, the product of the pregnancy, she sent the following message

"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."

The Green Man can't help but feel that it makes a much more positive statement than yet another General, however she will only get to occupy the plinth for 18 months when she will be replaced with another art work. Where she goes from there who can tell but, being marble, she is built to last.

It's going to be a huge marble statue well capable of taking care of itself against the elements or the people. What it will gain from not being inside a gallery is incontrovertibly forcing people to deal with it directly. It's about the different kind of heroism.

Said Quinn, the artist.

Read a more detailed review and see the runners up in The Guardian