Artist Addresses Controversy Regarding ‘Poo-Shaped’ Sculpture

An artist involved in the creation of a sculpture situated within a West Sussex nature reserve has addressed claims suggesting its resemblance to a poo emoji. Named the Periwinkle Shelter, the artwork is located on the Medmerry reserve at Bracklesham Bay, close to Chichester. It was constructed from metal and adorned with willow branches intricately woven to form the shape of a periwinkle, which is a type of sea snail. Artist Mark Antony Haden Ford stated that he has not been personally affected by the criticism voiced on social media. He conveyed to BBC Radio Sussex, “If it attracts more people, it can only be a good thing.” Mr. Ford, alongside his wife Rebecca, was responsible for the design and construction of the piece, which cost £6,000. A social media user commented, “I couldn’t stop laughing when I saw it. I thought it was a joke at first.” Another individual remarked, “I find it inconceivable that at no stage during the design of this massive sculpture not one person put up their hand to say, ‘excuse me, but it looks like a giant poo’.” Mr. Ford commented, “Art can be controversial and things can be ambiguous.” He added, “I invite people to come down to the nature reserve, sit inside the periwinkle shelter and make their own view of it.” The installation is part of the Culture Spark Project, an initiative formed through a collaboration involving the district council, Chichester Festival Theatre, and Pallant House Gallery. Carolyn Cobbold, who leads the Manhood Peninsula Partnership, an environmental organization, stated that local residents have “completely embraced it.” She noted, “The spiral is a shape found in nature,” adding, “found in periwinkles, and probably found in poos.” Cobbold also mentioned, “Some people have been saying to me, ‘if people see the shape of a poo, maybe that’s a metaphor for what we’re doing to our coastline, just allowing poo to be spilled into it’.” A representative from Chichester District Council commented, “This particular sculpture reflects the site’s rich Bronze and Middle Age history.” They further explained, “While the reserve was being created, archaeologists found periwinkles in the remains of an ancient medieval fish basket.”