Battle to save Antony Gormley boulders lost
by Tim Collins
The battle to keep the iconic Antony Gormley boulders in Ashford
has been lost.
Kent County Council has confirmed plans to relocate the
sculptures - created by the leading sculptor - from
Ashford to Maidstone.
The nine-tonne rocks had been sited at
Singleton Lake, near Ashford, for about 30 years.
But after suffering vandalism, KCC removed the sculptures - Mr
Gormley’s first professional commission - to undergo restoration
work.
KCC project manager Matt Hyland confirmed what many
feared.
Mr Hyland said: “KCC is proud to have commissioned Antony
Gormley’s first work and is working with him to ensure that it
achieves the new location and prominence that this seminal work
deserves.
“The Gormley sculpture is a unique and increasingly valuable
asset to KCC.
“But the extensive vandalism and increasing value has changed
the context of where and how the sculpture can be displayed in the
future.
“A new highly prominent and carefully chosen secure location has
become critical to the project; to guarantee its future general
safety.
“And the agreed Maidstone location provides the overall and
unrivalled solution."
05/01/12
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