A Sculptor Asking Why in Protest

[Merlion]

Interesting story about a sculptor making his point with a metal sculpture asking 'Why?' in protest. He was subsequently billed for removing the sculpture which had already been moved.

Why have the council billed me for protest?
Published on 18/03/2006


WIGTON artist Bryan Abbott will be landed with a bill from Allerdale Council after placing a metal sculpture protesting about planned hospital bed cuts in a car park.

The council says Mr Abbott will be charged the cost – for a truck and crane to be sent to Market Hill car park in Wigton – even though the 39-year-old artist had already moved the sculpture.

The heavy and imposing creation simply asks “Why?” in huge letters, with “Close Wigton Hospital” written underneath. At Market Hill for less than 48 hours, it now stands in Phoenix Park.

Mr Abbott said: “I got a tip-off that I was going to be billed £500 for the cost of getting a truck out to move it so I managed to move it myself.

“I was trying to do something good and they are trying to punish me for it. It’s deplorable – they can’t have what I haven’t got.”.

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