BBC Broadcasting House: A Paedophilic, Nasty, Sexualised Statue | Sam William
Paedophilic, Nasty, Sexualised Statue
Off Air – 28 Sept 2013 | Sam William
In ‘The Tempest’ Prospero says that crimes should be pardoned. Can we ever do that for the BBC? Well, removing that statue would be the initial step.
The statue in question is a work by Eric Gill, a British artist known for his controversial and troubling personal history, including the sexual abuse of his daughters and other disturbing behaviours. This statue, depicting Prospero and Ariel from Shakespeare’s The Tempest, is prominently displayed on the facade of the BBC‘s Broadcasting House in London.
“The BBC are a criminal entity.”
Sam William
Background on Eric Gill
Gill’s reputation has been marred since the late 1980s when his diaries were published, revealing details of his sexual abuse and other inappropriate relationships, including incest with his sister and sexual acts involving a family pet. His actions have led to significant public outcry, with many advocating for the removal of his works from public spaces.
Recent Events
In January 2022, the statue was vandalised by a protester who attacked it with a hammer, calling attention to Gill’s history as a “paedophile artist” during a livestream. Following this incident, the BBC announced plans to repair the statue but will add a QR code that provides context about Gill’s crimes to inform viewers about the artist’s disturbing legacy. This decision has sparked mixed reactions; while some argue for its removal due to Gill’s heinous actions, others contend that the artwork itself should not be judged by its creator’s moral failings.
“It’s about time that the BBC removed the statue as a symbol of faith, and possibly the BBC could restore some of their image by removing the image of a paedophilic, nasty, sexualised statue.”
Sam Williams
Reaction
The BBC has stated that while they do not condone Gill’s behaviour, they believe in restoring the fabric of their building while ensuring that the public is aware of the artist’s background. The restoration is set to be funded through insurance money rather than taxpayer fees.
Source: Off Air – YouTube
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