Creator of Horsham's Shelley Fountain: '˜Commerce has overcome art'

The future of the controversial sculpture will be decided at a council meeting next week, with Horsham District Council set to scrap the fountain.

Angela Conner, creator of the Rising Universe, said HDC’s interest in commercial development was to blame for the sculpture’s imminent demise.

However, she thanked the council for being transparent about the situation.

She said: “It’s always sad when commerce overcomes art. Horsham, wishing to make the town bigger and more commercial, is involved in installing a big John Lewis store, and for this reason are removing the water mobile called Rising Universe.

“The council has always been polite, open, and helpful, and I understand the direction they want the town to go in.

“But it’s a shame to see culture put to one side in the face of growing business projects.

“This removal does open the opportunity for installing Rising Universe elsewhere. If there is any interest in reinstallation at another site, please enquire directly to the artist via email at [email protected]”

Councillors will debate the fountain at a meeting on Wednesday April 27.

Repairs and maintenance of the fountain have cost more than £200,000 since its installation in 1996.

MORE: Council proposes to scrap Shelley Fountain

For more information about Angela, click here.

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