New statue of Queen Elizabeth II divides opinion
11 September 2024, 12:25 | Updated: 11 September 2024, 17:23
A new sculpture of Queen Elizabeth II in Northern Ireland has divided opinion.
The bronze statue of the late Queen, which stands next to Prince Philip and their two corgis, was created by north Belfast artist Anto Brennan and unveiled in Antrim Castle Gardens last week.
"The sculpture captures Her Majesty in a dignified pose, reflecting her grace, steadfastness and lifelong dedication to public service," the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council wrote in a Facebook post, sharing photos of the new statue.
But a lot of the comments under the post disagreed.
"It's actually an insult to Her Majesty's memory, looks nothing like her," one said, while another called it "dreadful" and urged the council to "take it down".
"More of an insult than a tribute, looks absolutely horrendous to be perfectly honest," another said.
Other insults included "ridiculous", "blooming awful", and "not fit for purpose" - and several criticised the council for commissioning the sculpture.
Another joked it looked "more like Mrs Doubtfire" than the late Queen.
The criticism spread beyond the local community, particularly on X, with art historian Richard Morris among those offering scathing feedback.
A few did defend the statue, however.
"Such a shame people can only find fault in these but don't think about the time and effort this guy has put into making them," one said.
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In a statement sent to Sky News, Antrim and Newtownabbey council said there had been a "generally positive response" to the sculpture.
"It acknowledges that art can sometimes spark diverse opinions, but it's important to emphasise that the sculpture has been warmly received by most who have seen it in person," the statement read.
"The council is particularly pleased with how the sculpture complements its surroundings, standing adjacent to the statue of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and accompanied by two lovingly crafted corgis. This thoughtful arrangement has resonated strongly with visitors, who appreciate the personal touch it brings to the memorial, within the gardens.
"While social media may amplify certain negative viewpoints, the council encourages everyone to visit Antrim Castle Gardens and experience the sculpture firsthand.
"The sculpture stands as a lasting tribute to Her Majesty's remarkable legacy, and the council is proud to have it as part of the community's cultural landscape. The positive sentiments shared by the majority of residents and visitors reflect the sculpture's success in honouring Queen Elizabeth II's memory and her enduring impact on the nation."
Sky News has contacted Mr Brennan for comment.
The statue of Prince Philip, which was also created by Mr Brennan, was unveiled in June last year.
Other questionable statues
The statue of the late Queen is not the first to raise eyebrows.
"The Don", a statue of Prince Philip in academic robes and which is reported to have cost £150,000, was set to be removed for the second time in March after being branded the "worst artwork ever seen".
The statue was initially erected in 2014 to mark the late Duke of Edinburgh's 35 years as chancellor of Cambridge University. But it was then retrospectively refused permission and taken down.
At the time, the council's then-public art coordinator said it was "possibly the poorest quality work that has ever been submitted to the council".
In May last year, singer Lewis Capaldi was presented with a statue of himself made with papier-mache, ping pong balls and bronze spray paint.
The statue, created by pupils at his former school, in Blackburn, West Lothian, was described by principal art teacher Bryan Johnstone as "intentionally bad, bizarre and odd-looking".
Capaldi described the statue as "the most beautiful and bizarre gift ever", Mr Johnstone told Sky News.
The statue of former Manchester United legend George Best from 2019 joined a list of dodgy sports stars' busts, including of Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, and former Chelsea and Ghana star Michael Essien.
Diego Maradona also had a strange likeness created, which he helped unveil in Kolkata.
Tennis star Andy Murray was forced to stand by a squat-looking version of himself, in the style of a terracotta warrior, as a statue was unveiled in Shanghai, China.
(c) Sky News 2024: New statue of Queen Elizabeth II divides opinion
