Antony Gormley beach sculptures compared to 'sex toys' or 'giant dog poo'

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Caroline Wiseman, the owner of the sculptures
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Owner Caroline Wiseman is seeking retrospective planning permission for placing the sculptures on the beach

A set of Sir Antony Gormley sculptures installed on a beach have been compared to "sex toys" or "giant dog poo".

The works created by the Angel of the North sculptor were placed on the beach at Aldeburgh in August but without planning approval.

Their owner, who describes them as "fine works", is seeking retrospective permission from East Suffolk Council.

Some people on Facebook, external called them "much-loved" but others likened them to "something out of Ann Summers".

The four cast iron sculptures, known as Quartet, were created by Sir Antony in 2001.

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Quartet was created by Sir Antony Gormley 20 years ago

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It is made up of four cast iron pieces

They were sold to international art collector Caroline Wiseman, who has a house and gallery in Aldeburgh.

She said she bought them as they were "fine works" by Sir Antony, whom she described as "arguably Britain's most esteemed international sculptor".

Mrs Wiseman displayed the works horizontally on the beach as part of the 10th anniversary of Aldeburgh Beach Lookout, external and they have remained there since.

East Suffolk Council's planning statement, external said the display was "not a cynical attempt to circumvent the planning process but a simple misunderstanding".

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Mrs Wiseman described them as "fine works"

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Others have shared their own interpretation of the works on social media

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Mrs Wiseman said people can work out what the sculptures are "in their own minds"

People have shared their interpretations of the works on the Aldeburgh and Surrounding Area Images, external Facebook page.

Some likened them to to seals, shells or grenades, while another wrote they resembled "giant rabbit droppings".

A town resident, who wrote to the council in support of the works, said they were a "much-loved part of Aldeburgh beach and attract daily visitors throughout the year".

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Sir Antony is most famous for his Angel of the North sculpture in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear

Mrs Wiseman said she was confident she would obtain planning permission.

"The best thing is that people come and have a look at them, they come to the beach and they can work out in their own minds what they are.

"If a few people think they look like sex toys then that's because they've got vivid imaginations," she said.

Aldeburgh is also home to Maggi Hambling's Scallop, a tribute to Lowestoft-born composer Benjamin Britten, that also caused controversy when it was installed, external.

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