The seven-year etch: Warwick’s sculpture epidemic

We at Warwick are known for our sculptures. A quick Google will demonstrate the plethora of on-campus art prevalent around the university. We even have a sculpture trail for those looking to procrastinate further on their impending Tabula deadlines. All come equipped with descriptions of being ‘exciting’ and ‘in the moment’ alongside long articles detailing the exact explanations and materials of the sculptures by the artists themselves. But for the average student, straight from the fresh hell of the Leamington bus journey, it really represents very little. The association of campus art is meaningless – its only true connotation becomes ‘oh, there’s that raspberry looking thing, now on campus’ (apparently, it’s a breadfruit and represents the Windrush generation). The beauty of Warwick’s crazed statues or neon-pink Forum is somewhat lost on us students, as we make our way round campus. A lot of the art pieces seem misplaced, out of touch, and frankly ridiculous as a way of spending University funds, especially considering the current economic climate.  

Apparently, my arguments went unheeded by the University Board of Secret Statue Pickers (I am assuming these guys exist and am considering them wholly and awfully responsible for all campus eyesores). Earlier this month as part of Warwick’s 60th anniversary celebrations, Warwick announced a new sculpture – a mural of either a Godiva-esque figure or a goose. To be painted by David Speed (who hosted the ‘Retreat to Create’ event at Warwick), this sculpture joins one of many at Warwick and raises questions about the merits of campus art.  

Perhaps, art by the students would be more appropriate – a creative project that costs less and inspires more. By saving money and channelling it elsewhere, we can present Warwick as a ‘modern’ University

Admittedly, statues, sculptures, and art are interesting. Yes, they add textual features to a university landscape and create a talking point for the open days. They provide ways of engaging with the local community. For the select few of us who may read the dirty plaque at the bottom, it can occasionally add something factual into our lives. And we can thank the gods above it’s not a problematic historical statue, which raise questions at older establishments such as Oxford. But the amount of money and the misplaced colours and shapes of the art here at Warwick seem to be missing the mark. If we do need campus art, then surely we should lean into those ‘on-campus’ connections most students make. If a statue is at Warwick, it needs to scream just that – instead of being nonsensical and out of place with the hubbub of university life. If it’s not that, it runs the risk of becoming so: the Dinosaurs outside the Sports Centre have become the unfortunate Instagram stars of the ‘Backshot Dinosaurs’ Instagram account. Where there were no Warwick connotations, the students made them. And I will be the first to the confession box: as I pass ‘Cat 1’ by Laura Ford (yes, that prisoner-shackles thing near the concourse) I do not confess to feeling moved as such. Now, this is not necessarily the fault of my own unfeeling heart – as a history and literature student I spend the average day ‘feeling’ about textual objects. But Warwick’s statues – without connection to the actual campus – fall flat. 

Perhaps, art by the students would be more appropriate – a creative project that costs less and inspires more. By saving money and channelling it elsewhere, we can present Warwick as a ‘modern’ University, something the University body seems to strive to do. And the loss of more on-campus art doesn’t mean losing any local community links or artistic talking points for the University – let’s encourage more people, instead, to the multi-million pound Arts Centre we already have and showcase exhibitions by local artists that are free and accessible to all students, unlike a statue hidden in a remote corner of campus. In the spirit of democracy, it can be decided by the people – by which, I hasten to clarify, I mean the collective university body, and not solely the chairmen of the SSP (Secret Statue Pickers). 

The university seems to be on a bright colour warpath with its art, take a look at the side of the FAB – the rainbow stripes art is part of a 2021 mural by Matthew Raw, called ‘Faith in the Miraculous’

The University’s newly proposed sculpture is, perhaps, taking a few steps in the right direction – the Instagram poll the University put out left us with some margin of choice, and was accompanied by the comment that the mural had been chosen for ‘campus, heritage, and location’. Any comment on price was, a little worryingly, left out. Terrifyingly, it is also planned to be the same shade of pink as the Forum. The university seems to be on a bright colour warpath with its art, take a look at the side of the FAB. The rainbow stripes art is part of a 2021 mural by Matthew Raw, called ‘Faith in the Miraculous’, and was perhaps inspired by having faith in the miraculous event of you actually showing up for your 9am seminar. 

If we really need any art at all then it needs to say, do, and be Warwick, and, frankly, a neon pink goose painting won’t be cutting it for me. Hopefully, this spirited choice is just a figment of our imaginations…