Plinth has got a lot of bottle

The latest occupant of the empty plinth in Trafalgar Square reflects Nelson back to himself. But, says Kelly Mullan it also reflects only part of the artist's identity

As disabled people we've increasingly made our presence felt in London's Trafalgar Square. Every September performers take over the pedestrianised space to celebrate Liberty disability arts Festival and we keep popping up on the Fourth Plinth, which after being empty for years now displays specially commissioned artworks and has gained popular status as a national mantelpiece.

Following the sculpture of "Alison Lapper Pregnant"; and filmmaker Liz Crow dressed as a Nazi in a wheelchair participating in Anthony Gormley's "One & Other" serial installation, disabled artist Yinka Shonibare MBE – he says he uses the epithet in a playful and ironic way – recently unveiled "Nelson's Ship in a Bottle".

Given this increasing visibility of disability in the Square it seems a shame that the artist's identity as a disabled person isn't in the foreground.

"Alison Lapper Pregnant" put a disabled person right out there and got people talking about representations of disability, but the sculpture was made by a non-disabled artist, Marc Quinn.

In contrast, "Nelson's Ship in a Bottle" has been made by a disabled artist but in the sheaf of press material distributed at the unveiling there is not one mention of disability.

At the unveiling I was surprised that the artist's wheelchair was discarded for photo opportunities and tucked in behind a bin.

When I asked Yinka Shonibare why he wasn't being photographed in his wheelchair he explained: "I don't use my wheelchair much apart from at train stations or airports. Why should I behave differently today?"

The artist was happy to talk about disability when asked and says he hopes other disabled artists will see this achievement as proof that "disabled artists can achieve what any artist can".

But he isn't giving away how the ship got in the bottle. At the unveiling he laughed and said "I'm not telling!"

"Nelson's Ship in a Bottle" is the first plinth commission to engage with the historical symbolism of Trafalgar Square, which commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar. It's a scale replica of Nelson's ship HMS Victory with the twist that the sails are made from batik, a fabric associated with African dress symbolic of African identity and independence. The artist says the piece reflects the story of multiculturalism in London but it does seem strange that disability is being left out of the story. Surely it would make it all the richer?