Can the nation’s public art be saved?

Efforts are being made to save dozens of sculptures and pieces of public art around the UK, which are at risk from theft or being destroyed or removed by land owners.

Conservation group Historic England has worked with the Government to identify and protect 41 postwar public sculptures under threat by awarding them Grade II listed status.

Works by Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth and Anthony Gormley have all been protected. It is the first time a Gormley piece has been listed.

“Designed to bring our public spaces back to life”

Historic England says: “These sculptures were designed to bring our public spaces back to life after the Second World War… they were created for everyone, to humanise and enrich our streets, housing estates, work places, shopping centres, expanding universities and schools.”

The sculptures that are being protected tackle themes including Northern England’s industries, the importance of family, play, and a commemoration of children killed in the Blitz.

Historic England concedes that while some sculptures were unpopular at the time and seen as too avant-garde “only now are they starting to get the recognition they deserve”.

First Gormley to receive Grade II status

Among the new listings is Anthony Gormley’s Untitled in Camden, London. It was one of his first public sculpture commissions and helped launch his career.

Three Hepworth’s have been listed, two at Grade II*. Hepworth once said her Winged Figure, which can be found next to John Lewis on London’s Oxford Street, would make people feel “airborne in rain and sunlight” and Single Form (Memorial) in London’s Battersea Park was her response to the death of a friend.

In Harlow, Essex there are three newly listed works including a bronze donkey, by Willi Soukop which has been worn shiny from years of use. It was designed for children to interact and play with.

This map shows where all of the protected pieces are displayed.

An exhibition is being put on to help the cause

Roger Bowdler, director of listing at Historic England said: “These sculptures were commissioned and created for everybody and have become a precious national collection of art which we can all share. They enrich our lives, bring art to everyone and deserve celebration.”

Other groups included in the project include Public Monuments and Sculpture Association, Tate, and the Twentieth Century Society.

The stories of sculptures which have already been destroyed, sold, lost or stolen, as well as those which need to be saved will form part of an exhibition, Out There: Our Post-War Public Art, by Historic England at Somerset House from 3 February – 10 April.