Damien Hirst's giant bronze statue of a pregnant woman
The artistic merit of Damien Hirst's giant bronze statue of a pregnant woman has split opinions in Ilfracombe, but it also raises the issue of the role of public art in regenerating a town.
She has been called outrageous, immoral, bizarre, obscene, offensive, disgusting, grotesque, a monstrosity, of no artistic merit and demeaning to women.
Others see her as beautiful and unique, with the power to transform a town's tired image and boost its economy.
This week Damien Hirst's 20.25m (66ft) bronze artwork - known as Verity - is being installed in the Devon seaside town of Ilfracombe.
The artwork is on 20-year loan from controversial artist Hirst, who lives locally and owns a restaurant in the town.
The naked pregnant figure stands looking out from Ilfracombe Harbour, sword held aloft, with part of her anatomy exposed - a baby visible in the womb.
The decision by North Devon Council to grant the statue planning permission follows months of vigorous debate by both the "yes" and "no" camps.
"We need to have a second string to our bow," says Ilfracombe councillor Mike Edmunds, who can see the new arrival from his bedroom window.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-19881524
The artistic merit of Damien Hirst's giant bronze statue of a pregnant woman has split opinions in Ilfracombe, but it also raises the issue of the role of public art in regenerating a town.
She has been called outrageous, immoral, bizarre, obscene, offensive, disgusting, grotesque, a monstrosity, of no artistic merit and demeaning to women.
Others see her as beautiful and unique, with the power to transform a town's tired image and boost its economy.
This week Damien Hirst's 20.25m (66ft) bronze artwork - known as Verity - is being installed in the Devon seaside town of Ilfracombe.
The artwork is on 20-year loan from controversial artist Hirst, who lives locally and owns a restaurant in the town.
The naked pregnant figure stands looking out from Ilfracombe Harbour, sword held aloft, with part of her anatomy exposed - a baby visible in the womb.
The decision by North Devon Council to grant the statue planning permission follows months of vigorous debate by both the "yes" and "no" camps.
"We need to have a second string to our bow," says Ilfracombe councillor Mike Edmunds, who can see the new arrival from his bedroom window.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-19881524
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