Exeter residents plan rival artwork to £70,000 sculpture
The council approved the installation of a £70,000 glass and metal free-standing monument on the gable end of the Gun and Sport Shop, in Fore Street, last month, despite strong opposition from residents.
Now, Heavitree Sculpture Focus Group, which represents the views of local people, says it would like to spearhead a project to involve the entire community in a mural or mosaic on the east-facing gable-end wall of the Light of India takeaway and restaurant, on the corner of Fore Street and North Street.
Well-known Heavitree artist Elaine Goodwin has indicated she would be happy to help design the work, and hopes residents will donate pieces of tessera — stone used in mosaic — for the project.
Focus group member Martyn Beckett said: "The plans are in the early stages. The people of Heavitree never asked for an illuminated sculpture of the kind the city council plans to put up.
"When asked what we wanted by the council, we said benches, trees, a welcome to Heavitree sign and a mural, not this kind of sculpture.
"So we have got together and decided that even if we have to put up with that thing, it would be nice to have a mural on a bigger and better wall.
"We have spoken to the owner of Light of India and he has said that he is prepared to have a mural painted on his wall.
"We don't yet know whether it would be a mural or mosaic, or combination of both, but the idea is to have a real community work of art so that people feel a sense of ownership.
"We want to get as many people involved as possible. We want to have a consultation and perhaps get ideas from school children."
Mohammed Noor, who is a part-owner of Light of India, said: "I would be happy to have a mural painted on the wall of my building.
"I am opposed to the sculpture which is planned for Gordon's Place. It's a disgrace.
"We could have done better things with that sort of money than what the council has done.
"For £70,000 we could have given Heavitree a facelift. Anyone with any sense at all could see that.
"But even with a small amount of money we could make the place look really nice.
"You don't have to spend so much, and we could demonstrate this through a mural."
John Guyers, 65, who lives in Fore Street, said he was concerned that the council's proposed sculpture would be a traffic hazard.
He said he would be in favour of a mural or mosaic.
Mr Guyers said: "I think a mural on the Light of India would be nice, and I would prefer one made by local people.
"Or why not put something in the park rather than have it on the main road?"
Theresa Smith, of Wonford, who works at Force Cancer Research, in Fore Street. said: "I think the council's proposed sculpture is a waste of money and it will be distracting for drivers.
"The money could have been spent on tidying up places in Heavitree.
"Who is going to read these words on it anyway? A mural would be better as long as there are no words on it. A colourful mural might make the wall look nice, and having children help with the design is a nice idea.
"It think it's the ordinary people in the street, the people of Heavitree, who should benefit from something like this."
Karen Hawkins, who lives in Heavitree and owns Dunstan's of Heavitree, a florist's across the road from Light of India, said a mural was a nice idea, but money would be better spent on planting trees.
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