Bristol unveiled 80 statues of Aardman Animations’ most famous canine across the city on 1 July as part of their ‘Gromit Unleashed’ sculpture trail.
Bristol unveiled 80 statues of Aardman Animations’ most famous canine across the city on 1 July as part of their ‘Gromit Unleashed’ sculpture trail.
However two of the statues were vandalised ahead of today’s unveiling.
One sculpture was vandalized yesterday, the day before the sculptures were due to be unveiled to the public. The sculpture, named Carosello, designed by Italian artist Guiliano Carapia, was located outside The Spyglass restaurant in Welsh Back. It had only been delivered on Saturday.
Staff arrived for work yesterday morning to find that the vibrantly painted Gromit statue had been pried from its plinth. The restaurant’s assistant manager has said that there was a large crack along the neck, though the head was still attached.
This marks the second vandalising of a Gromit statue. The first was based in College Green, named Poetry in Motion and designed by actress Joanna Lumley. The sculpture had its tail completely removed by vandals, leaving a large hole behind.
Both Gromit statues have now been sent back to the makers in Cardiff for repair work.
It’s not just an attack on Gromit
Joseph Willfred, a 24-year-old photographer from Bristol was disappointed by the news. He told us: “It’s a great shame to hear of such a thing. What’s more upsetting is that it’s not just an attack on Gromit, it’s an attack on what this whole thing stands for. Let’s hope that it doesn’t happen again.”
Nicola Masters, director of the charity behind the Gromit Unleashed campaign issued a statement to The Bristol Post saying: “We’re very sorry to say that over the weekend, two of our Gromit Unleashed sculptures, Poetry in Motion and Carosello, were damaged. They have been sent off for repair and we intend to get both of them back as soon as possible to join the other Gromits on the trail.”
Raising money for sick children
Masters added: “We are dismayed that anyone would want to damage any of these sculptures which have been created to raise money to treat sick children in hospital and to provide something for everyone in Bristol to enjoy. We have reported both incidents to the police, who are currently studying CCTV footage from both sites to try and identify the perpetrators.
Masters added that people should be on the lookout for suspicious behaviour. “We were elated by the public reaction to the launch on Friday and would like to thank people in Bristol for the tremendous support and enthusiasm they’ve already shown for this project,” Masters said. “Although the Gromit locations are protected by CCTV, we’d also like to ask the public for their help in keeping a lookout for the safety of the Gromits during the trail, by reporting any suspicious behaviour or damage to the police, or by texting the Gromit sculpture telephone number on 07582 064103 or emailing us at info@gromitunleashed.org.uk.”
The Gromit sculptures still intact were officially unleashed on to the city streets today to raise money for Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal, the charity for Bristol Children’s Hospital. Gromit and his human companion Wallace have been appearing in campaigns for British tourism and The National Trust this year.
For more information about the Gromit Unleashed exhibition visit http://www.gromitunleashed.org.uk
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