Artist Tracey Emin has unveiled her first piece of public art in Liverpool on Thursday.
The Roman Standard - which features a small bird on top of a four-metre high bronze pole - is a tribute to the city's famous symbol the Liver Bird.
The sculpture was commissioned by the BBC as part of their contribution to the art05 festival and Liverpool's year as European Capital of Culture in 2008.
It stands outside The Oratory, in Upper Duke Street by the Anglican Cathedral.
Emin said the sculpture, which cost the BBC £60,000, represents strength and femininity.
The bird, which is the size of a sparrow, disappears when viewed from the front and only reappears as the viewer moves left to right.
The Turner Prize nominee said she chose Liverpool for its "neo-Roman" architecture.
She said the sculpture would be a symbol of "hope, faith and spirituality", adding: "Liverpool has been one of my favourite cities since I first visited.
"I've always had the idea that birds are the angels of this earth and that they represent freedom".
The ‘Roman Standard’ actually looks quite a sweet little statue. Commendably restrained from Emin, a good talking point and children will love it.
But really, "the birds are the angels of this earth"? Oh dear me, no.
Sounds far too much like something Madeline Basset from Jeeves and Wooster would say (the one who thinks that the stars are God’s daisy chain, and that every time a fairy sneezes a wee baby is born).
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