Oscar Wilde Would Turn In His Grave......

Nureyev’s tomb in France.

This is the most beautiful tomb I have ever seen for an artist

Luckygirl3

It is clearly a symbolic representation of a genius laid low and cut to pieces by an intolerant society .......

Yes 👍

Luckygirl3

It is clearly a symbolic representation of a genius laid low and cut to pieces by an intolerant society .......

By Jove! I think you’ve got it, only the face could be more of a likeness than it is.😄

It is clearly a symbolic representation of a genius laid low and cut to pieces by an intolerant society .......

Indigo8

What is worse, a statue that is supposed to look like the subject but doesn't, or, a completely conceptual take on the subject?

The former.
But even the latter has to be understood by the viewer.

When DD was about 12, we went to the Tate Gallery to see an exhibition of, I think, Pre-Raphaelite art, Rossetti, Millaiss, Burne-Jones. Nicely figurative and a pleasure to look at.

We then wandered into a sculpture exhibition. It looked like broken bookcases made from multicoloured acrylic. Beside each 'creation' was a notice explaining to us what we were looking at and what it was meant to be.

My daughter came up with quite a profound statement, She said that if you do not know or understand what a work of art is until someone has written down an explanation then it is the piece of paper/plastic/board/stone the explanation is written on that is the work of art, not the sulpture itself.

I think this rule applies in this case..

What is worse, a statue that is supposed to look like the subject but doesn't, or, a completely conceptual take on the subject?

I've just Googled it and OMG!

Grotesque!

Well the 'artists' of recent years have created some outright howlers. There was, notably, an almost laughable creation which was alledged to be the late Queen but even worse are statues of famous sports people: Cristian Ronaldo's statue with a hideously manic expression (which was modified but only got worse) and an hilarious Harry Kane which he apparently tried to be kind about but that didn't stop the roars of laughter.

Who'd want to be famous?

Allira

Yes, but he doesn't look very comfortable 😁

Is there a lake or a river below him? I'd be worried about him sliding in.

No lake or river, it’s in a park, very near his childhood home in Merrion Square.

Yes, but he doesn't look very comfortable 😁

Is there a lake or a river below him? I'd be worried about him sliding in.

Boz

I see this as a protest against the loss of erudite wit and humour in the World; toppled and shackled. Just a personal opinion of course.

I like your summation*Boz*, it makes sense.

I also like this more conventional sculpture in Dublin.

What is nevr explained is why Oscar Wilde is rperesented this way.

If there was somewhere to go to get an explanation of the sculptors thinking that might help, except that if that is necessary the sculpture is a failure, its meaning should be clear.

Unless titled and accompanied by an explanation, the statue could just express the current view of what is allowed to be said and who is allowed to say it.
Modern art might have required him to be naked, posed and displaying all. I’ve heard that sort of painting praised.

I think Oscar Wilde would approve of all these sculptures on the basis of his maxim "There is only one thing that is worse than being talked about - not being talked about"

NonGrannyMoll

Well, I don't want to cut slices out of the views expressed here, but I find this sculpture interesting and thoughtful (as is Maggi Hambling's). Of course, it won't find its way onto the lid of a chocolate box and nobody will make a fridge magnet out of it, but then popularity isn't really what makes art art, is it?

I would agree but… the passerby must be able to recognise who it’s supposed to be to make sense of it.

Well, I don't want to cut slices out of the views expressed here, but I find this sculpture interesting and thoughtful (as is Maggi Hambling's). Of course, it won't find its way onto the lid of a chocolate box and nobody will make a fridge magnet out of it, but then popularity isn't really what makes art art, is it?

@Indigo8 yes that one. I can't believe how truly awful it is. The one this thread is about is nowhere near as bad. In my opinion as some people probably love it. All I can say is should have gone to Specsavers.

🤣
Now that I must see!

The one that makes him look as if he is made of pasta and emerging from a coffin?

Well Oscar wasn't actually conventional so maybe he'd have loved it. As tragedies go I think he would probably have more to worry about than a statue although personally if I was him I'd be much more upset by the Maggie Hambling one, called something like A Conversation with Oscar Wilde and it is truly hideous.

The artist Sir Eduardo Paolozzi died in 2005 before he was able to complete the casting. The work has only recently been completed and exhibited using his notes and preliminary work. It is now on view in Chelsea.

Yes, I saw toppled and shackled too, but it reminded me of all those statues toppled during the Cold War broken up, no signage indicating silencing wit and literacy, love, fun.

it looks like Earl Spencer