Tyson Fury sculpture made from plastic drainpipes deemed ’embarrassing’ by Morecambe residents
Sculpture of boxing champion Tyson Fury made out of plastic drainpipes is branded ’embarrassing’ by residents in his hometown
A new sculpture of Tyson Fury, 33, will be unveiled in Morecambe, Lancashire The work, by award-winning artist Anthony Padgett, has been called a ‘joke’It is fashioned out of brown plastic drainage pipes from a builders’ merchants
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A ‘contemporary sculpture’ of world heavy-weight boxing champion Tyson Fury, 33, made out of plastic drainpipes has already been mocked by residents in his hometown.
The work by award-winning artist Anthony Padgett, 52, is due to be erected in Morecambe, Lancashire this weekend.
The eight-foot structure, fashioned from brown plastic drainage pipes that the artist picked up from a local builders’ merchants, has been called an ‘absolute joke’ by locals.
The work by award-winning artist Anthony Padgett (pictured with the sculpture), 52, is due to be erected in Morecambe, Lancashire this weekend
Mr Padgett, who himself is from Morecambe, said the artwork would be the first public sculpture of Tyson Fury in the world and that it is meant to capture the boxer’s ‘essence’.
He said: ‘The sculpture was inspired by Tyson Fury. It depicts the essence of the punch, the key moment in boxing.
‘It is great to have a sculpture depicting Tyson’s world achievement in Morecambe.
‘Also to have a contemporary artwork shows Morecambe is progressive in its views of art.’
The sculpture is set to be unveiled at the Morecambe Bay Art Fair this weekend and then will be sited outdoors at Jo & Lee’s By The Sea Café on town’s sea front.
This is the site of the VVV gym and café where Tyson Fury used to train and eat.
The sculpture is meant to capture the ‘essence’ of Tyson Fury’s punch
‘I used to see Tyson Fury in the café but never spoke to him. I hope he likes the work,’ Mr Padgett added.
The artist said that Fury has not been in touch to say he has seen the sculpture.
But the artwork has not received the warmest reception online.
One user quipped that Mr Padgett would ‘get punched’ by Fury if the boxer saw the sculpture.
Trish Jay posted: ‘This brings back memories of when my kids were at primary school and the teachers had them make sculptures out of household litter.
The sculpture is set to be unveiled at the Morecambe Bay Art Fair this weekend and then will be sited outdoors at Jo & Lee’s By The Sea Café on town’s sea front
‘Then the same bloody teachers would send them home with the said “sculpture”.’
Simon Gooch added: ‘I heard a Tyson Fury sculpture was in the pipeline. I didn’t think it was literally.’
Local Jordan Medhurst also said: ‘Absolute joke.
‘The man is heavyweight champ of the world the entire WORLD and represents Morecambe daily shopping and eating in all local shops and bigging up the town on national TV – and they build a statue out of drain pipes.
‘Imagine if he posts that on his social media to his millions of followers – it’s embarrassing.
‘The guy deserves a life-like 6 ft 9 proper statue in the town centre right next to Eric Morecambe in my opinion.
‘He’s a legend throughout the whole world in and out of the ring.’
‘I’m very open-minded when it comes to art, but that’s just insulting,’ Jessica Mace added.
But not everyone was so quick to judge.
One user Helen Waner defended the work, saying: ‘This is only a sculpture inspired by the boxer.’
Mt Padgett said the artwork would be the first public sculpture of Fury in the world
Mr Padgett, who has traditional ‘life-like’ sculptures of war poet Wilfred Owen and artist Vincent Van Gogh around Europe, also stood by his work.
He said: ‘My work is often of famous people who have struggled with mental health.
‘Whether PTSD – Wilfred Owen the first world war poet – or conflicted genius – Vincent Van Gogh – often they were stigmatised through lack of understanding.
‘Contemporary art has been around for over 100 years. Since Marcel Duchamp exhibited a urinal. These urinals are now worth over $2million.
‘My contemporary art has a sense of fun and humour to it.
‘The sculpture respects Tyson and his achievements, and celebrates him as a global personality of popular culture.
The artist added that Fury has not been in touch to say he has seen the sculpture
‘Tyson is a person of the people. I have used everyday materials of the people to construct the sculpture.
‘Storm drains take the brunt of the weather. They are part of the grit and determination of society.
‘Tyson has risen from humble beginnings and is now a world icon.
‘I would love to do a more life-like sculpture if commissioned.’
Anthony added: ‘People are welcome to come and chat with me about the work and see the work for themselves at the Art Fair. Entry is free.’
Tyson Fury’s team has been contacted for comment.
