Oscar Wilde would detest such an ugly tribute’
Evening Standard|April 29, 2024
ON THE bright side, there are, it seems, no moral grounds for denying Oscar Wilde a memorial on consecrated ground.
Melanie McDonagh
Oscar Wilde would detest such an ugly tribute’

A sculpture of his head can now be erected in a former churchyard in Chelsea after a Church of England consistory court overrode objections that it would be offensive. On the downside, the work is by the late Sir Eduardo Paolozzi and it is quite, quite hideous.

The vast bronze head is lying on its side, cut into vertical slices, but with the necktie in place. It’s like Ozymandias in reverse. It’s possible that, right way up, in one piece, it might resemble Wilde, but who is going to crane to find out?

This story is from the April 29, 2024 edition of Evening Standard.

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This story is from the April 29, 2024 edition of Evening Standard.

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