Although large-scale public sculpture can feel permanent, it is often relocated, repurposed or removed. In this exhibition we see works in transit, such as Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen's Bottle of Notes.

 

There are also works that have been relocated - often controversially - such as the statues of Middlesbrough's town founders Henry Bolckow and John Vaughan. Some works find new niches; the keystones in Exchange Square once adorned the Royal Exchange building, and now serve as a reminder of its loss.

 

Finally, we see statues that have been removed completely - whether due to town development (as in the case of Glynn Williams and Graham Ibbeson's works) or public outcry (Adrian Kidd's 'Equinox' and Eddie Hawking's sculpture of his pregnant wife).

Please join the discussion and share your memories of public art in Middlesbrough through our gallery comments book or on Instagram @northeaststatues

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