Parys Lapper death: Son of disabled Trafalgar Square sculpture model Alison Lapper dies aged 19

British artist Alison Lapper poses with her son Parys at the unveiling of the sculpture in September 2005
Jeremy Selwyn

The son of a disabled artist who posed while pregnant with him for a Trafalgar Square plinth sculpture has died at the age of 19.

Parys Lapper died suddenly last week, his family said, describing him as a “mischievous, generous, kind, loving, frustrating, cheeky, forgiving, beautiful boy”.

His mother Alison Lapper, who was born with shortened legs and no arms, posed nude for Marc Quinn. The resulting artwork was mounted on the square’s fourth plinth in 2005.

It was hailed as the most powerful work by a British artist in decades, with a replica featuring in the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympics.

Alison Lapper and son Parys

Ms Lapper’s fiancé Si Clift said: “Tragically, Parys Lapper, who was only 19 years old, died suddenly a week ago.”

Writing on Facebook, he paid tribute to Parys, calling him “his own man” and “a good son”.

He also appealed to bikers to escort the teenager on his “final journey” to Worthing Crematorium on Thursday.

He said: “Ali fought many battles against the establishment to keep Parys, bringing him up by herself in some very difficult circumstances indeed and continued to fight for him through his teenage years.

The sculpture pictured at its unveiling in September 2005
AP

“Ali has expressed a dear wish that she would absolutely love to see as many noisy motorbikes as possible to escort Parys on his final journey from her home in Shoreham-by-Sea to Worthing Crematorium on Thursday to celebrate his life (he would have loved this too).”

The marble sculpture of Lapper, 54, who was born with phocomelia, was on display in Trafalgar Square from 2005 to late 2007. She later called her son “my greatest piece of artwork and creation”.

After his birth in 2000 she said: “When I saw him, I just cried and cried. The emotions I felt were indescribable. I had never imagined I was going to be a mother, never thought it could be possible.

“But when they placed him on my shoulder and I gave him a little kiss on his head and said hello, I was overwhelmed.” Parys’s life was watched by millions of BBC viewers in the acclaimed documentary series Child Of Our Time, presented by Professor Robert Winston, to chart the lives of 25 children until they reached their 20th birthdays, to increase understanding of childhood development.

Mr Clift said the couple had been “overwhelmed” by messages of support. He wrote online: “Ali Lapper and I are blown away by your kind responses and so appreciative of your kindness … Keep Parys in the forefront of your minds and hearts for a long while.”

Ms Lapper co-hosted the 2016 BBC Four show No Body’s Perfect with fashion photographer Rankin, exploring how digital photography, social media and selfie culture had affected people’s sense of identity.

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