Disability arts: ‘The last remaining avant-garde movement’
December 11th, 2007From the [UK] Guardian:
Marc Quinn’s sculpture Alison Lapper Pregnant in Trafalgar Square, London, helped raise the profile of disability in the arts. (Photograph: Dan Regan/Getty)
Guest columnist Melvyn Bragg writes about a debate in London on the future of disability and deaf arts. He endorses the thought that disability arts can be seen as the last remaining avant-garde movement — “the emergence of a new world” — similar to movements related to feminism and race. As an example, Bragg references Marc Quinn’s statue of graphic artist and photographer Alison Lapper, which was exhibited in Trafalgar Square. Lapper was born without arms and with shortened legs.
Read more about the statue on Lapper’s website here; her autobiography, “My life in My hands,” is here.
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December 13th, 2007 at 9:53 am
I agree – this sculpture is stunning! As art often serves to address areas of cultural conflict, it can sometimes be interpreted as abrasive and offensive. But Marc Quinn’s sculpture imposes issues of disability on the viewer with such a gentle force. While the face value of some art shocks the viewer, I believe Quinn’s sculpture works in quite the opposite fashion; its face value is one of calmness, grace, beauty – all characteristics that are both positive and commonly sought after. The “shock value” arrives when the sculpture inspires subsequent conversations and further knowledge of disability. As there are currently many efforts to display the art of the disabled, I believe this piece of artwork, although not by an artist with a disability, will similarly support those who are disabled.
December 11th, 2007 at 1:38 pm
This statue is beautiful! I’m sure that it will challenge the mindsets of those who believe that people born with alternately formed bodies are naturally excluded from certain roles, including that of motherhood. Lapper in some ways reminds me of Lisa Sandin, whose story can be found under the ‘body image’ category of this site. However, while Sandin proclaims, “I am not my body” and seems to argue that she can be a mother in spite of her differences, Lapper has courageously allowed a 3.55 meter tall nude statue to represent her. Hopefully the surrounding controversy will convince some of the previously-mentioned doubters to read her autobiography and learn about what is it really like to live with an alternately formed body.