All in all . . . there’s not really that much difference between these two statues.
One is the controversial new structure in Silver Street, Bedford – while the other appeared on the front cover of a Pink Floyd album issued 15 years ago.
Sculptor Rick Kirby, who won a Public National Art exhibition to design the unique statue for the town, said any likeness to the image on ‘Division Bell’ was just a “major coincidence”.
He said: “I used to be into Pink Floyd but I have never heard of this.
“My work is unique and represents the diversity of ethnic backgrounds in the town, its links with bricks and lace and is silver to represent Silver Street.
“It is two individuals looking at each other in harmony.” Peter Lawrenson of Poplar Avenue, Wilstead, said: “They look like over-sized dustbins. They suddenly appeared one day out of nowhere.
“I think what has got up people’s noses most is that the council spent all this money and there was no public consultation.
Now all the town has is a memorial to a Pink Floyd album cover.” There has been a mixed response to the statues which have relegated the bust of Archbishop Trevor Huddleston to near the toilets in Silver Street.
Some people have said they are incensed by the project, which has cost around £100,000, while the faces have been described by another as “two heaps of rubbish.” The Pink Floyd version will be commemorated as one of the greatest album covers of the past 40 years as part of a new set of postage stamps.
Altogether there are ten designs which will be issued in January.
A Bedford borough council spokesman said: “The process to introduce the new works of art to Silver Street began in 2007, as part of a national art competition.
“While some may consider that the statues resemble existing works of art, from the Easter Island moai to more popular culture images, the work was commissioned as a unique and iconic piece reflecting the many faces of Bedford, to provide an exciting new focus for shoppers and visitors to the town.”