Controversial statue depicting Late Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, and their Corgis ignites debates among the public.
The bronze statue of the Queen, as per the local council's statement, has been well-received by many who've seen it in person. However, some individuals on social media have mocked it for not resembling her figure. One commenter on the council's Facebook post stated, "It could be anyone," while another mentioned that the statue was "beautiful," but didn't mirror the late queen's appearance or her typical attire.
Limited comments on the council's original post led the debate to shift to X, previously known as Twitter, where the sculpture amassed numerous views, and several users compared it to the infamous Cristiano Ronaldo bust. Another user added, "Even the corgi is confused."
Artist Anto Brennan created the sculpture as a commission from Antrim and Newtonabbey Borough Council. The piece, representing the United Kingdom's first tribute to the late queen, was installed in Antrim Castle Gardens, approximately 19 miles (30 kilometers) north of Belfast, and was unveiled on Friday.
The sculpture depicts Elizabeth, gazing into the distance, dressed in a tweed skirt, rubber boots, checked vest, and a headscarf, with a handbag hanging from her left arm, and two corgis at her feet. Elizabeth's husband, Philip, stands behind her with hands behind his back.
The council acknowledged that "art can sometimes spark various opinions," but expressed satisfaction with the sculpture's fit within its surroundings, adjacent to the statue of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and accompanied by two lovingly crafted corgis. CNN reached out to Brennan for comment.
Elizabeth, who passed away in 2022, was extensively photographed, and her appearance had been depicted in numerous paintings and sculptures. Controversial depictions of her and the royal family have also emerged over time.
A portrait of Catherine, Princess of Wales, featured on Tatler magazine's cover earlier this year, garnering mixed reactions in the media and online. While one critic described it as "intolerably bad," others praised it as "beautiful."
The first official portrait of King Charles III, following his coronation, also sparked controversy with its depiction of the monarch against a fiery red background, which seemed to consume him.
Famously, in 2000, Lucian Freud painted a portrait of the Queen that contrasted earlier romanticized depictions of her, and garnered both critics' scorn and the public's attention.
Given the context, here are two sentences that contain the words 'style' and 'arts':
The sculpture of Queen Elizabeth, created by Artist Anto Brennan, is a unique addition to the style of public arts, reflecting a different perspective of the late monarch.
Despite the controversy surrounding some of the depictions of the Royal Family, such as Lucian Freud's painting of the Queen, the world of arts continues to offer diverse interpretations and styles, stirring both criticism and admiration.
