Incident Follows Recent Repair Work on Infamous Sculpture
A masked man has vandalized a statue at the BBC’s Broadcasting House in central London, using a hammer and chisel. This attack occurred shortly after repair work began on the Grade II listed statue of Prospero and Ariel, created by Eric Gill, who has been accused of sexually abusing his daughters.
The incident took place on Saturday, with the assailant, reportedly wearing a Spider-Man mask, seen on scaffolding around the sculpture. He also displayed a banner criticizing the BBC. Described as a “masked protester” in a BBC Radio London news report, the man’s actions drew immediate attention.
The Metropolitan Police were called to the scene around 4:15 AM following reports of a man climbing the scaffolding. A police spokesperson stated, “The man was reportedly damaging a sculpture. Officers attended the location. It has not been possible to safely detain the man given the circumstances of the incident, including the height. Specialist officers have been called to the scene.”
This statue, on display since 1932, was previously targeted in a similar attack last year amid ongoing debates about its removal. The BBC announced that, after careful consideration and discussions with cultural organizations like Historic England, repair work would be undertaken at no cost to the licence fee, using the corporation’s insurance.
The repairs involve expert stonemasons restoring the artwork, carved from Caen stone, and will provide context about both the sculpture and Gill’s controversial history. Robert Seatter, head of BBC History, emphasized the importance of maintaining the building while also acknowledging Gill’s abusive behavior, stating, “We must ensure people are fully informed about the history connected to it.”
Gill was a prominent sculptor until his death in 1940, but posthumously published diaries revealed details of his sexual abuse. His complex legacy is marked by a stark contrast between his artistic contributions and personal misconduct.
