A new statue honoring the UK’s longest-serving monarch, Elizabeth II, has received a mixed reception since its unveiling in Antrim Castle Gardens. Created by Belfast artist Anto Brennan, the bronze statue depicts the late queen, Prince Philip, and two corgis. While some visitors to the County Antrim gardens have praised the statue’s accuracy, others have criticized it for not resembling the queen.
Antrim and Newtownabbey Councillor Vera McWilliam expressed her disappointment to BBC News NI, saying that the statue does not resemble the queen in any shape or form. Richard from Antrim echoed her opinion and said that whoever signed off on the statue needs their eyes tested. However, other visitors, such as Brenda from Lisburn, found the statue beautiful, yet suggested it should have been made to look older.
Cheryl and Gordon from Saintfield noted that something was off about the queen’s upper body posture and right arm, but they would leave the statue as is. Meanwhile, Francis and Marie from Magherafelt were positive about the statue, praising its down-to-earth representation of the queen.
The debate over the statue began on a social media post by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, featuring the first photos of the statue. Since then, comments have been turned off. The proposal to commission a statue of the late queen and her two corgis came in January 2023. Anthony ‘Anto’ Brennan, the statue’s creator, is known for his chess sets of prominent Northern Irish political figures. The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Neil Kelly, described the statue as “beautiful.”
In the end, the reception of the statue is down to personal taste, and everyone has their own opinion. Regardless of the criticisms, what is most important is what the sculpture represents
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