It’s been a city landmark for more than a decade but today Norwich folk watched as a renowned brain sculpture was removed from Hay Hill.
Installed in July 2007, the set of sculptures were designed by French artists Anne and Patrick Poirier to be viewed from all angles and to provide seating.
The carvings, which include inscriptions on blocks of marble, are called Homage To Sir Thomas Browne and were designed to complement the nearby statue of the 17th-century physician, philosopher and writer who lived in Norwich.
However, city council bosses began discussing plans to remove the artwork in October 2020, stating that the space needed to become “more versatile” and fluid.
This was partly motivated by incidents of anti-social behaviour and crime in the ‘unloved’ area surrounding the statues, outside the Next and McDonald's stores.
Having secured £3.2m in government funding in late 2020, the transformation will include more planting, improved seating, better-designed steps, walking links and a water feature, creating a space able to host public events.
The Thomas Browne statue will remain on the site but will be moved to a more prominent position.
Watching workers begin the revamp was Bob Carroll, 60, who was visiting from Watton, who described it as a “shame”.
READ MORE: Upset for campaigners after Hay Hill tree is cut down
He said: “I think they’re iconic. I think they bring the arts to Norwich and I think they should be kept.”
His 13-year-old son, Oscar, added he felt it was “removing part of the culture of Norwich”.
It is not known where the sculptures will end up, after a plan to relocate them to Elm Hill Gardens was scrapped.
The last plans to be announced were that they will be mothballed, with no immediate plan in place for where they will go.
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