Sculpture confidence at low Ebb

5:22pm Tuesday 1st April 2008

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A Kent artist tells Kerry Ann Eustice why he has little confidence in the artists designing Ebbsfleet Landmark

SOME Turner Prize-size names from the art world have been called upon to come up with the Ebbsfleet equivalent for the Angel of the North.

Rachel Whiteread, Mark Wallinger and Richard Deacon, Daniel Buren and Christopher Le Brun are the calibre of conceptual artists the Tate Modern crowd gets their cool knickers in a twist about.

But is their work right for Kent? Monty Parkin, an artist and historian, living and working in Kent, doesn't think so.

"I'd like to see a reference to Kent, especially as we are being rapidly swamped by London." - Monty Parkin

"I'm open minded they could come up with something good, I'm just worried about the kind of artists chosen," said Monty.

"They're all of the same ilk, all trendy conceptual artists, but there are no traditional ones. It's all Brit art from the likes of the Tate Modern."

Disappointed in the commission's lack of variety, Monty came up with his own, far more traditional design for the sculpture (pictured).

It's clear the patrons of the £2m art project -Eurostar, Land Securities and London & Continental Railways - hope the artists involved will create the long-awaited Angel of the South.

"At least the Angel of the North had some meaning and had local relevance." - Monty Parkin

But Monty says we're unlikely to get equivalent out of these artists.

"At least the Angel of the North had some meaning and had local relevance. It would be good to have something which has meaning to people of Kent.

"The horse is an ancient emblem of Kent," he said of his own design. "Everyone knows it. I'd like to see a reference to Kent, especially as we are being rapidly swamped by London. It could be the last stand for Kent."

Of course, Monty admits it's hard to judge the designs until they are unveiled but joked he can't drop concerns Mark Wallinger may turn up at a committee meeting dressed as a bear, as he infamously did for his Turner Prize entry last year.

Monty will discuss the madder aspects of contemporary art further at his Art Game talk on April 10, Holiday Inn, Bexley. 7.45pm.

Got an idea for the sculpture? Post your designs to News Shopper, Mega House, Crest View Drive, Petts Wood, BR5 1BT. Or email it to keustice@london.newsquest.co.uk