Vandalised west Dorset sculpture is beyond repair

As previously reported, the ‘Skateboarder’ sculpture, created by Greta Berlin, was found left in a mangled heap on the ground at Bridport Skate Park.

The artist has since revealed that she is unable to fix it.

Ms Berlin said: “They brought it back to my workshop, but the bottom line is that I can’t repair it.

“I would have to grind right back to the steel in order to weld it. It’s broken mainly at the knees which is a very delicate point so there would be a lot of stress on them.”

The vandalised sculpture (Image: Jennie Mulcahey)

However, although she has been left ‘saddened,’ she is not going to let the terrible actions of others ruin her work.

Ms Berlin added: “I have reclaimed the sculpture, and I am showing it at my home studio as ‘Fallen Youth.’ The sculpture is now laying on the ground with its feet lying on the podium.

“It represents how we have short-changed our young people. We are not giving them any prospects and we are taking away all of their facilities like the youth clubs, so they are turning to criminalisation and vandalism.

“I was really sad that this one in particular was vandalised. It was all about youth and I was really quite surprised.”

The artwork, which was part of the ‘Life Size and Larger’ collection, depicted an abstract person skateboarding in Plottingham Field.

Ms Berlin previously said: “It was just a shock. To bend the steel of the skateboard – I can’t even do that with my vice.

"It’s heart breaking, I try not to take it personally, but I am a human being and it’s my life’s work.”

Sadly, the vandals were never caught.

Bridport Town Clerk Will Austin said: “We were so saddened by the thoughtless damage to the skateboarder sculpture, and we quite understand Greta’s decision to withdraw it from display in Bridport. 

“Unfortunately, the culprits haven’t been identified, but I’d like them to know that they have done the community a huge disservice with their actions, depriving us of a much-loved piece of artwork.”