Loughborough's Sockman

I have to mention the Sockman as it still crops up in conversation. I personally don't understand the fuss. It would be a terrible place if we had no public art (imagine Trafalgar Square without Nelson) and we have to accept that not all art conforms to our vision of perfection. A large public space like the town centre needs objects of art or decoration. As a really minor fraction of the cost of the pedestrianisation the £23,000 is insignificant in relation to the whole scheme. The individual piece is not my favourite sculpture of all time, but it is more than okay and certainly not bad enough to warrant the abuse it gets!

Last updated 2002