Locals demand hulking 38-foot 'totem pole' statue is removed from Cornish town square

Dan McDonald
Fri, 24 Apr 2026 05:08:13 +0000

A Cornish town has overwhelmingly called for Britain's largest ceramic artwork to be removed from its town square.

A recent survey of St Austell locals revealed an emphatic 90 per cent want it taken away.

The £80,000 "Earth Goddess" installation has drawn the ire of locals since its unveiling in 2022.

Artist Sandy Brown created the 38-foot structure as part of a regeneration initiative celebrating the region's historic links to China clay production.

The St Austell Town Team conducted the poll, with nearly 500 people responding.

Jake Richards, who chairs the group and runs a local cafe, identified the sculpture's placement as the central grievance.

He said he had received complaints from customers about the totem pole-like structure multiple times a week.

"For some, the artwork has become a symbol of frustration around spending priorities, regeneration efforts and the perceived lack of meaningful public consultation in decision-making processes," he said.

The installation comprises five substantial clay circles featuring arms extending roughly 20 feet across, adorned in vivid, striking colours.

Survey participants suggested alternative locations across Cornwall, including the Eden Project, the Lost Gardens of Heligan, and Wheal Martyn Clay Works.

A minority of those polled expressed support for the piece, calling it "vibrant", "distinctive" and "an important talking point".

The Town Team describes its purpose as driving "positive transformation" while bolstering local identity and community pride.

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Ms Brown, a Devon-based artist, said she was disappointed by the controversy surrounding her work, which she said honours the town's heritage.

She also raised practical concerns about any potential move.

"She's made of many different parts and a metal infrastructure and it would not be easy to move. And also, who's going to pay for that?" she said.

The sculpture was funded through a dedicated arts programme aimed at revitalising the town centre.

Noah Law, the Labour MP for St Austell and Newquay, confirmed to the BBC that he was reviewing potential options to get rid of the "totem pole" as the organisation behind it no longer exists.

He said: "The fact is, it's not much loved by the town.

"There are pigeons nesting in it and there isn't actually a proper management plan for it, so whether you're a lover of this kind of art or not there needs to be some proper maintenance and proper place for it."

The St Austell Town Team have said the results of the recent survey will be shared with "relevant stakeholders" and will be "exploring potential next steps to ensure that any future decisions reflect the views and priorities of the community".