Matthew Crowther takes a look at the new addition to Bradford’s Public Art, The Baby of the North…
Public art always divides opinion. When the Baby of the North was recently unveiled outside Margaret Macmillan Tower in Bradford city centre, I was not surprised by the level of criticism about the sculpture and the cost of it (£15,000) on social media, especially in times of austerity.
However. this piece of public art was funded by a specific pot of money set aside for regeneration and public realm improvements, which also includes dozens of flashy tourist information boards across the city centre and a strip of lighting which illuminates the top of Margaret Macmillan Tower, now home to Bradford council’s children’s services department, again much criticism for these other cosmetic improvements, but that’s another story.
So, when I visited the National Media Museum, I could not leave the area without taking a look at the Baby of the North, with an open mind.
My immediate reaction to the sculpture was that of a smile and a chuckle to myself, I actually really like it, it is fun, and if something like that can brighten up your day, then that is priceless.