Help find missing public art: Organisation asks public to help uncover missing pieces

Stolen - The Watchers, Lynn Chadwick, 1960, Roehampton University, South West London © Historic England.

LONDON - England's post-war public art, created by some of the most important artists of the 20th century, is "disappearing before the public's eyes". Historic England has discovered that a growing number of sculptures, architectural friezes and murals - made between the Second World War and the mid-1980s - have been destroyed, sold, lost or stolen. Through their own research, and information from the Twentieth Century Society, the Public Monuments and Sculpture Association, from historians and some of the artists themselves, they are building up a picture of just how much art has disappeared. Historic England knows that England has lost a worrying amount of artwork from the streets, housing estates, work places, shopping centers and schools for which the pieces were designed. Although many of the works have been destroyed completely, some could still be out there. Historic England is asking the public to come forward with information, evidence and photographs to help them to track them down and inform a major exhibition at Somerset House in London as part of its Utopia Season.

Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of Historic England, said: "Part of England's national collection of public artworks is disappearing before our eyes. Historic England's research is only the tip of the iceberg as it's almost impossible to trace what has happened to every piece of public art since 1945. What we do know is that this art work was commissioned and created for everyone to enjoy, and it should remain accessible to all. We're making efforts to protect the best examples of post-war public art that still exist, and make sure that it continues to enhance the public realm. But we also want to raise awareness of just how vulnerable these works can be and we want the public to help us track down lost pieces." From a bronze Henry Moore sculpture stolen to order for its scrap value, to an abstract steel sculpture by Barry Flanagan in Cambridge that was vandalized beyond repair, or the seven meter long steel structure by Bryan Kneale that was sold at auction last year, these public artworks are vulnerable and need protecting. In 2012 Wakefield Council went as far as to remove its Henry Moore from public display and put it in secure storage because of the spate of thefts. Often, the artists themselves don't know their works are in danger until it's too late and the public isn't consulted on what should happen next. Since they were installed from the early 1950s on wards, works have been vandalized, destroyed, sold and stolen. The price of scrap metal, the need for many public bodies to fill funding gaps, pressure from redevelopment, and vandalism are all reasons why this national collection of public art is being eroded.

Historic England (previously known as English Heritage) is currently identifying the post-war public art that could be protected through listing. They are also running an exhibition at Somerset House, "Out There: Our Post-War Public Art" from 3 February to 10 April 2016, to help people to learn about this national collection and the stories behind it, so they will recognize the importance of these works. Historic England wants to strengthen the public's sense of ownership of its own collection, to make it harder for it be stolen or destroyed.

Historic England has compiled a list of works that have been lost, sold, stolen or destroyed. http://historicengland.org.uk/news-and-features/missing-public-art/ If anyone knows anything about the fate of these works, or other works not mentioned here, they can get in touch by emailing outthere@HistoricEngland.org.uk or calling 0207 973 3295.

They are also asking the public to send them any pictures of the missing pieces that they have taken over the years. They hope any further details that emerge can become part of the Out There exhibition, and the stories behind the disappearance of these works of art can be told.

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