Plan for China link sculpture is thrown out
CONTROVERSIAL plans for a sculpture to celebrate Macclesfield’s links to China have been thrown out amid concerns over the country’s human rights record.
The 7m creation, a gift by artist JJ Xi, would have been located at Sparrow Park, in the town centre, as a commemoration of the Silk Road trading route.
But its design of a giant bobbin was criticised - with some saying it was too phallic - and said to be too large so it would dominate the area.
And there were fears the sculpture could become a magnet for vandalism because of China’s role in the coronavirus outbreak.
The country has also been criticised for its oppressive regime, most recently for its treatment of Uighur Muslims in the Xinjiang province.
At a Cheshire East Council committee meeting a planning application for the artwork, from Macclesfield Town Council, was refused.
Ahead of the meeting the church council from nearby St Michael’s were among those to object. The group’s spokesman said: “Some members, whilst acknowledging our historic links through the silk industry, are nonetheless uncomfortable with Macclesfield receiving gifts from the current oppressive Chinese regime which denies basic human rights. Its design might not be read as the intended silk bobbin, but lend itself to a more phallic interpretation.”
There was support for the sculpture from a history lecturer who had taught in China and Macclesfield
Civic Society - albeit the group acknowledged concerns over its size and appearance.
But others described it as ‘a blot on the landscape’.
And one objector said: “Given the very political situation of present day China and the effects of Covid on UK business, perhaps an unwise and ill thought out move to erect the statue at this time, which could also attract vandals.”
At the meeting questions were raised if the historic Silk Road link between the two places was genuine or just a ‘myth’.
Councillor Brendan Murphy also said that while the silk industry helped Macclesfield’s prosperity any commemoration must acknowledge that already rich people benefited from the hard work of the poor.
He added: “On the issue of design, someone said to me it looks like a failed phallic symbol. It is a controversial matter, you can see from the local objections that came in. There are lots of reasons people think it is wrong.” Some members were in favour of the sculpture and commemorating the Silk Road connection. Coun Brian Puddicombe said it would add to the parks’s attractiveness.
Coun Paul Findlow suggested the large grounds of Christ Church, associated with silk industrialist Charles Roe, would be a better location.
He said: “Something like this is a good idea in principle, what concerns me is the site chosen.”