SCULPTURE SMASHED

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31024, 1 April 1966, Page 1

SCULPTURE SMASHED

This organic abstract in concrete, weighing a quarter of a ton, was pushed over and broken in the grounds of the Canterbury University School of Fine Arts at Ham on Wednesday night. Mr T. J. Taylor, a lecturer In sculpture, and staff and students were incensed at this second examule of wanton damage in a fortnight. The sculpture was done byMiss Rosemary Johnson, who completed her honours diploma last year and is now in England. It involved original modelling in clay, the

making of a plaster mould, and final casting in concrete. Mr Taylor said the shattering of the “neck” could not be repaired because such a join in concrete was not satisfactory. The sculpture, standing more than five feet high, was mounted on a block pedestal on the front lawn of the School of Art facing Ham road. 'i “It would take considerable ’ effort by at least two or three I people to knock it over unless the ancient principle of the j lever was applied,” said Mr > i Taylor. > A security patrol visited - the site, but it was obviously ■ not adequate for cases such as II this, Mr Taylor said.

Done as a commission, the work would be worth about £2OO. As it was done as an honours exercise it belonged to the university which could, if it wished, release the work to the artist.

Mr Taylor said this was an exceedingly disappointing piece of vandalism when the university was trying to make its grounds more interesting with sculpture. Many pieces were now on show round the School of Fine Arts.

A fortnight ago vandals damaged a group made by John Panting, now at the Royal College of Art. The concrete abstract female figure from a pair was “abducted,” Mr Taylor said. ,