The first sight of a baby inside a statue is a shock, in a good way. It is thought-inspiring and draws you to look again and again.
Well worth a look, makes you think what an amazing mind Damien Hirst has, it is a very beautiful statue, though very thought provoking. Has and is prooving to be a crowd puller and can only do good for Ilfracombe as an added attraction
We visited Ilfracombe knowing nothing about Verity, so she came as a huge shock. I love the way she has been sited in such a prominent position by the harbour, facing out to sea. The statue is beautiful, interesting, confusing and disturbing, in equal amounts, but something you must see if you visit North Devon.
From one side the statue looks great and from the other far more challenging with the peeled back skin.. Damien Hirst divides opinion, but the addition of this statue is undoubtedly contributing to the regeneration of ilfracombe. Check out the newly opened art galleries.
Decided on a whim to pop up to Ilfracombe to have a look at this piece of art, we are not particularly big on art, but being fairly local we had heard a lot about it on our local news.
We had a good look round the stature on arrival, but it was getting a bit late, and we were losing the light, so after spending the night nearby we decided to stroll up and have another look before our breakfast the next morning. It was a still morning with a gentle sea fret hanging over the harbour, we were the only souls there, it was very atmospheric, and we felt that the stature really added to that. We had heard a bit of bad press about it, but we failed to see what the problem is, it brings people into the area, and we enjoyed our stay and would recommend it .
We had a good look round the stature on arrival, but it was getting a bit late, and we were losing the light, so after spending the night nearby we decided to stroll up and have another look before our breakfast the next morning. It was a still morning with a gentle sea fret hanging over the harbour, we were the only souls there, it was very atmospheric, and we felt that the stature really added to that. We had heard a bit of bad press about it, but we failed to see what the problem is, it brings people into the area, and we enjoyed our stay and would recommend it .
A controversial piece of art work from a world famous artist, one that can only attract visitors to the town. The visitors that come will either hate the statue or love it, either way they are visiting Ilfracombe, a benefit to all who live or have a business in the town. The statue is set within the harbour with the dramatic Hillsborough Fort in the background. Well worth a visit.
Went to see this in late September 2013.
Very overcast sky made the sculpture quite dramatic, and quite sinister when viewed from
the pier side. A strange concept, and one that we found quite off putting. No doubt a great work in some peoples eyes, but we heard several comments that matched our view of it.
Very overcast sky made the sculpture quite dramatic, and quite sinister when viewed from
the pier side. A strange concept, and one that we found quite off putting. No doubt a great work in some peoples eyes, but we heard several comments that matched our view of it.
Shock Art....Pretentious nonsense...Hirst gets people talking that's for sure and few sit on the fence. As a piece of art I admire it although it's interesting to speak to the locals about what they think. For a town that is a little 'down on it's luck' VERITY has done one thing which is to draw in tourists who spend money in the shops and cafes which is a good thing....justice may be seen to be done after all.
Has to be a beneficial addition to the town of Ifracombe. To see Verity on the harbourside is impressive. Those that agreed to her stay in the town saw the benefits that it could bring. Well done to Damien Hirst for being part of the town today!
The statue dominates the harbour in a Colossus of Rhodes stylee. A stunning bronze of immense proportions. A beautiful, heavily pregnant female figure. Anyone who finds it offensive needs to get out more!
In a word.......... Grotesque, but then again art is an abject thing and what suits one does'nt suit all, i would have thought it would be better in a City or stuck at the side of a motorway, like the Angel of the North.
This art work is completely out of place. It is out of scale with the quaint harbour. None of the people I met approved of this statue despite its originator.
What a complete waste of money this hideous eye sore is just standing there with no apparent
explanation of the meaning of the thing. l am sure the money could have gone to much better
facilities to draw tourists to Ilfracombe. You only have to look at other resorts such as Weston-Super-Mare and Southend to name but a few to see what transformations they have made.
Families want things to do and things they can enjoy of an afternoon not everyone enjoys arcades surely Ilfracombe can do better than having this hideous statue that's going to cost them money for cleaning it and guarding it from graffiti. Still it gives the seagulls somewhere to poo on.
Rant over.
explanation of the meaning of the thing. l am sure the money could have gone to much better
facilities to draw tourists to Ilfracombe. You only have to look at other resorts such as Weston-Super-Mare and Southend to name but a few to see what transformations they have made.
Families want things to do and things they can enjoy of an afternoon not everyone enjoys arcades surely Ilfracombe can do better than having this hideous statue that's going to cost them money for cleaning it and guarding it from graffiti. Still it gives the seagulls somewhere to poo on.
Rant over.
From behing looks really good, but then the front reveals the hideous statue.
looked like one of the puppet characters from a childrens programme back in the 90's about 2 garden trolls.
looked like one of the puppet characters from a childrens programme back in the 90's about 2 garden trolls.
Omg how lucky are you to have this in your town. It is so powerful and dramatic and suits the area. It was good to watch the reaction of people who were seeing it for the first time. you lucky locals
Why Ilfracombe needs a bloody great naked pregnant female waving a sword around, is anyone's business. That said, it drew the crowds and is a talking point. Sort of grows on you
This statue has divided the town (speaking to our relations that live there) A lot say it's an ugly site where others say it brings tourism into the town. My view is its spoils the lovely sea front. Could of thought of a better statue to erect.
Something that might look good in a contemporary art gallery in London town just looks out of place - Verity is no Statue of Liberty, welcoming travellers to the shore. It's an odd idea of a statue in the first place - a typical Hirst 'affair' with skin missing and a little too revealing anatomically. The thing doesn't offend me - it is just out of place in this venue.
Another of Hirsts sick jokes I wouldnt have it in my back garden, Ifracombe council cash in and take it too the scrap yard
We could not leave Verity out of the wedding photo's and took a special trip with the official photographer to our daughters wedding. Verity is amazing & will not dissapoint
The statue is "controversial", but then again most of Mr Hirst's artwork is. The statue is well constructed, but the best thing is that it is putting Ilfracombe back onto the UK tourism map. Hopefully this will inspire more investment from other companies to rejuvenate the town and return Ilfracombe to former glories
Hmmm - I am still not convinced of this statue's beauty. I felt it was just too 'revealing' Some parents were left speechless when asked various questions by their offspring. I know the chap in the T-shirt shop we visited said that it had increased his footfall. It was unfortunate that the skeleton side of the statue was facing inland, at least if it were facing the other way parents could decide for themselves if they wanted their child saw the innards of a pregnant woman. One major warning - don't follow the AA parking signs for Verity. You will end up parked right at the top of the hill and have a major route march down to the harbour. Just head into town and follow the regular harbour parking signs. I wasn't impressed but I was glad I went, at least I can say that I have seen it with my own eyes.
Very impressive as a statue. However I am sure the money would have been better spent tidying up the rest of Illfracombe, parts of which reminds me of the bomb sights of my child hood in Birmingham. Made me feel quite sad as I loved coming here in the late sixties, early seventies.
Verity is a wonderful addition to Ilfracombe harbour. An imposing masterpiece that you just can't stop looking at. The power in its presence is awe inspiring. I have 2 children who had nothing but questions to ask, they were fascinated in both the simplicity of the female, the meaning behind the 'justice' side of her and no more than fascination in the anatomical aspect ..... is the baby a boy or girl? asked my daughter.
Wandering round the harbour, chatting to local retailers who have had nothing but 'business' from its erection and exploring the small aquarium and RNLI station was a pleasure. Definately ignore the yellow direction signs and head straight for the harbour and car park for the best access to Verity.
I feel Ilfracombe had before 'Verity's' arrival had its day - hopefully Verity will recreate interest in the town, rejuvenate its town folk and attract more visitors to this wonderful corner of North Devon. Well worth a visit.
Wandering round the harbour, chatting to local retailers who have had nothing but 'business' from its erection and exploring the small aquarium and RNLI station was a pleasure. Definately ignore the yellow direction signs and head straight for the harbour and car park for the best access to Verity.
I feel Ilfracombe had before 'Verity's' arrival had its day - hopefully Verity will recreate interest in the town, rejuvenate its town folk and attract more visitors to this wonderful corner of North Devon. Well worth a visit.
It is free but still overpriced. People will flock to see it but I hated it. The town needed a feature but a cut away figure is not to my taste ..... No wonder many curators don't rate what they display.
She's beautiful and she has brought so many visitors to Ilfracombe. We have taken many pics of her can't get all angles in one shot.
You either love her or hate her but we love her and Verity has brought her owm magic to Ilfracombe. She really is our Curious Charm
Not much to look at really, just oh statue. Wasn't my or my groups thing!! Don't know what else that I can say about it,
We were in Ilfracombe last October when this blot on the landscape was erected and our opinion did not change when we visited again a week ago. Damien Hirst should be pickled in formaldehyde and lowered into the harbour to prevent him carrying out any more vandalism. The seagulls have passed (literally) judgment on his efforts.
Damien Hirst is to art what George Osborne is to economics.
We have had to mark this review as a 1 because you do not allow a zero.
Damien Hirst is to art what George Osborne is to economics.
We have had to mark this review as a 1 because you do not allow a zero.
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