A controversial underwater sculpture described by some as “creepy” and “disturbing” has been shortlisted for a major art award.
The Alluvia is a lifelike model of a woman, which sits on the bed of the River Stour near the Westgate Towers in Canterbury.
The Alluvia, created by Jason de Caires Taylor, has been shortlisted for an award
It was installed in September last year and is inspired by Shakespeare’s Ophelia from Hamlet.
The work was commissioned by the Canterbury Commemoration Society and created by award-winning artist Jason deCaires Taylor.
However, shortly after its unveiling, there were calls for it to be removed due to its position and likeness to a real human.
But the work has been put forward for the Public Statues and Sculpture Association’s (PSSA) annual awards in the ‘Excellence in Public Sculpture’ category.
Many residents had expressed concerns on Canterbury City Council’s Facebook page when they shared images of the completed work last year.
The eerily beautiful Alluvia has been the source of controversy due to its likeness to a drowning victim
“I find this sculpture absolutely appalling,” wrote Craig Logman.
“It’s not just offensive, it’s downright disturbing. The imagery of a submerged figure, reminiscent of a drowning victim, is both morbid and utterly tone-deaf given the tragic drownings that occur along our coastlines.
“Frankly, it should be removed immediately.”
Samantha Bowen added: “I can’t be the only person who finds this deeply offensive.
“She looks like a drowned woman. How did the council not see the link to women as victims of crime or the sad fact that so many drown off the Kent coast as refugees? I’m stunned at the naivety of those who approved this.”
The controversial Alluvia statue is in the Stour beside the Westgate Towers in Canterbury
But the Canterbury Commemoration Society and cabinet member for culture, Cllr Charlotte Cornell, defended the sculpture at the time, calling the wide range of opinions it evoked the “beauty of art”.
Cllr Cornell has praised the artwork once again following its nomination.
She said: “Alluvia changes with the waters. She is beautiful and she is tragic.
“You can read sadness into her if you like, or you can read a reflection on nature and human damage to our waterways, or perhaps she is Ophelia and a representation of the great contribution this city has made to literature.
“The reason she is great art is that she is 100 different things to 100 different people. She is well deserving of a vote to win this important award.”
The Alluvia sculpture quickly became covered in algae
The winner will be decided entirely by the public vote, with voting open until Sunday, October 5, on the PSSA website.
It is not only the “disturbing” look of the sculpture that has sparked controversy.
In April, concerns were raised over its condition due to algae and silt quickly covering it.
But its creator, Mr Taylor, said that, like all his artworks, it is designed to weather with the river, and will go through changes, appearing and disappearing at different times of year.
There is no regular cleaning schedule for Alluvia, but it has an annual condition check.
Jason deCaires Taylor’s ‘Alluvia’ illuminated in the River Stour in Canterbury
The piece was made to replace a previous sculpture by Mr Taylor, which had deteriorated due to wear and tear caused by the fast-flowing river.
It is made from recycled glass, LEDs which light up at night, marine stainless steel, and incorporates environmental monitoring sensors.