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Sculptor's artache over demolition
A CITY artist has paid an emotional final visit to one of his works before it is demolished this week.
A CITY artist has paid an emotional final visit to one of his works before it is demolished this week.The New Earth Sculpture was installed at Ferry Meadows Country Park 11 years ago by Peterborough artist Richard Gibson.
The sculpture, built with timber dating back hundreds of years, was opened in 1998.
Mr Gibson used more than 17 tonnes of soil to create the piece, which is one of the largest of its type in the country and is made up of four towers.
But, on Friday, the city sculpture will be taken down by the Peterborough Sculpture Trust.
Today, Mr Gibson said he was upset that his work was being demolished.
He said: "It is quite a sad event really. I have been told that it is being taken down because it has come to the end of its life, but when I went to visit, it was still in a good condition.
"These sculptures can last for many years. I don't think that it needs to be knocked down now.
"It got quite a lot of interest when it was first built, because of the materials I used and the way I built it.
"I was very proud of the work.
"It has also been a great educational tool, and I have taken lots of school groups to have a look at it."
Mr Gibson is also the man behind the metallic Gateway sculpture located near the Peterborough Lido in the city centre.
He said the New Earth sculpture was inspired by urban architecture and historic work methods.
He said: "It was a long job, as it was all done by hand, and it got me a lot of publicity when it was finished.
"I was at an international conference this year, and a number of people came up to talk to me about the piece.
"I was very proud of it, so I don't want to see it knocked down."
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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