A new statue designed to commemorate Elizabeth II - the UK's longest-serving monarch - has received a mixed reception. The bronze sculpture, created by north Belfast artist Anto Brennan, was unveiled in Antrim Castle Gardens on Saturday. Since then, the statue of the late queen, Prince Philip and two corgis has attracted some criticism on social media and commentary from visitors to the County Antrim gardens.
Antrim and Newtownabbey councillor Vera McWilliam told BBC News NI: “We have to be honest, it does not resemble the queen in any shape or form.” Richard from Antrim said he was "really disappointed" after seeing the statue online and then coming to see it with his wife. "Whoever signed that off needs their eyes tested. It's not good," he added.
Brenda from Lisburn thinks that the statue should have been "made to look older" but "on the whole it is really nice" and "you still get what it represents and what it is about." "It caught my eye right away," she continued. "You can see who they are, but I think definitely it should have been her just before she died to capture the whole meaning of who she was and what she represented." Alejandro from London was visiting Antrim Castle Gardens with two friends from El Salvador. He thought the statue didn't "seem like the queen." "As it is in her memory I guess it is a good thing but it doesn’t look like her.
The dogs and Prince Philip look nice, but the queen, it doesn’t look like her," he added.
Cheryl and Gordon from Saintfield said they liked the sculpture but had some ideas about how it could have been improved. Cheryl said there is "something not right about her upper body posture and her right arm but it’s still lovely to see her." Gordon added: "I wouldn’t have noticed that it didn’t look like the queen but with seeing it on Facebook and now that I see it yes, it probably isn’t a true reflection of her.
It's just the face, the rest of the character of her looks correct but the face is maybe not a true reflection of her.
It is what it is, we all know who she is and what it’s meant to be so I would just leave it the way it is."
Francis and Marie from Magherafelt were very positive about the sculpture. "It’s great, I think they have it down to the tee," Francis told BBC News NI. "They’ve got the queen as she's young. I think the two would be very pleased with it. And they’ve got the corgis all round.
That is the queen, she loved being outside and that’s why there’s a smile on her face." Marie added that the statue "looks like her when you see her out with the horses and dogs. It's more of her private life, more down to earth."
Public Reaction and Criticism
The debate over the sculpture began on the comments section of a social media post by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council featuring the first photos of the sculpture. Comments have since been turned off. The proposal to commission a sculpture of the late queen and her two corgis came in January 2023. There was already a bronze statue of Prince Philip in the Parterre Garden. The Deputy Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Paul Dunlop attended the unveiling of the new statue.
He told BBC News NI: "It's down to personal taste, everyone has their own opinion but it is what the sculpture represents that is important." When the sculpture was unveiled, Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Neil Kelly described it as a "beautiful statue." Its creator, Anthony 'Anto' Brennan, is best known for his chess sets of prominent Northern Irish political figures.
A Controversial Tribute
The backlash against the statue was swift and brutal. Social media users were quick to express their disappointment with the artist's portrayal of the late Queen, with many comparing it to Mrs Doubtfire, the cross-dressing nanny played by Robin Williams in the 1993 film. The sculpture was also criticized for its lack of resemblance to the Queen, with some users calling it an "insult" to her memory.
The controversy surrounding the statue has only intensified, with the council being forced to disable comments on its social media post about the unveiling.
Public Opinion Divided
While some people have expressed their outrage at the statue, others have come to the artist's defense, arguing that it is important to remember that art is subjective. The council has also defended the statue, saying that it is a "fitting tribute" to the Queen's life and reign.
Ultimately, the controversy surrounding the statue highlights the importance of public opinion in the creation of art. In an age of social media, it is easier than ever for people to express their opinions about art, and this can often lead to heated debates. The statue of Queen Elizabeth II is just one example of how public opinion can shape the way we view art, and how important it is to remember that art is subjective.
An Enduring Legacy
The Queen's life and legacy will continue to be debated and discussed for generations to come. However, the controversy surrounding the statue serves as a reminder that even in death, the Queen's presence is felt and her image remains a source of contention, debate, and ultimately, enduring impact.
