Giant spider looms over art lovers

Maman (1999) is made of bronze, stainless steel and marble and was one of aseries of six gargantuan spiders built in the 1990s. This is the first time one of the series of sculptures has gone on outdoor display in the UK.

A crane lowered the spider outside Tate Modern, and opposite St Paul's by the banks of the Thames, to mark the launch of an exhibition spanning seven decades of work by the French-born artist.

Visitors will be able to walk around the sculpture's long, bent legs. The Tate says: "A female spider, this spectacular arachnid alludes to the strength of the mother with metaphors of spinning, weaving, nurture and protection."

Bourgeois, who moved to New York in 1938, said: "The Spider is an ode to my mother. She was my best friend." Like a spider, my mother was a weaver. My family was in the business of tapestry restoration, and my mother was in charge of the workshop." Like spiders, my mother was very clever. Spiders are friendly presences that eat mosquitoes. "We know that mosquitoes spread diseases and are therefore unwanted. So, spiders are helpful and protective, just like my mother."

Bronze casts of Maman are on permanent display at The Guggenheim Museum, in Bilbao, the Samsung Museum of Art, in Seoul, the Mori Art Museum in Tokyo,and the National Gallery of Canada.

Bourgeois uses painting, printmaking, sculpture, installation and performance in her work. Materials have included everything from wood and stone to latex and rubber while her subject matter is deeply autobiographical.

The Tate Modern exhibition, featuring more than 200 Bourgeois works, opens on October 10 and runs until January 20 next year.