Not such public art

I came across this great sculpture of a skateboarder and thought how wonderfully it captured the skill and dexterity of the youngsters who flip, twist and turn themselves and their boards whilst moving at speed on a thin set of wheels. For many youngsters in an urban setting skateboarding has enabled them to get fit, be with friends – who all seem delighted when anyone has mastered a challenging jump, and make the concrete and tarmac environment a playground.

I have been noticing how sculpture has the ability to create connections between people when the sculpture is put in a public space. The impersonal space of public lives can be transformed, temporarily, when people chat and interact with sculpture. I find it quite disappointing, then , that this skateboarder has been sectioned off and kept away from the public, young and old. A missed opportunity, I think.