A new Shakespearean statue in a historic city's river should be 'bard', critics say - because it looks like a "drowning victim". The artwork in Canterbury, Kent - showing the lifelike figure of a woman submerged in a river - has been branded "offensive" and "disturbing". The work, called The Alluvia and inspired by Ophelia from Shakespeare's Hamlet, was commissioned by the Canterbury Commemoration Society and created by award-winning artist Jason deCaires Taylor.
It was installed in the river Stour last week and is said to bring a new contemporary twist to the city's thriving art and cultural scene. Cllr Charlotte Cornell, of Canterbury City Council, said: "Combining contemporary art with heritage is at the forefront of our approach to public art and Alluvia is the perfect piece for this location." But it has sparked outrage on the council's Facebook page where dozens of commentators are expressing their distaste of the water feature.
"I find this sculpture absolutely appalling," writes Craig Logman. "It's not just offensive, it's downright disturbing. The imagery of a submerged figure, reminiscent of a drowning victim, is both morbid and utterly tone-deaf given the tragic drownings that occur along our coastlines.
"Frankly, it should be removed immediately." Samantha Bowen says: "I can't be the only person who finds this deeply offensive. "She looks like a drowned woman.
How did the council not see the link to women as victims of crime or the sad fact so many drown off the K.