East

David Lee makes the same basic and fatal error as most art critics. He believes his opinion is more important than anyone else's! Just because he has set himself up as an 'Art Critic', it does not mean his view is omnipotent - or even right!

He thinks Harlow is OK because it has a Henry Moore - well, bully for Harlow. But it's purely accidental and doesn't mean that Harlow is superior to any other town - far from it in my experience.

Milton Keynes has great deal of public art and it isn't all to my taste - but it may to someone else's and that is surely the point? We already have enough elitist twaddle shoved down our throats without Mr Lee contributing more!

Ian Brown, Milton Keynes

I visit Aldeburgh on a regular basis and love the above sculpture - it gives many many visitor lots of pleasure. The children all climb on it, play hide and seek around it and enjoy a beautiful piece of sculpture without realising it.

Aldeburgh people should realise how lucky they are to have it on their beach and appreciate how many visitor come especially to see it.

June Charlic MBE

For the most part I agree with David Lee. Whilst the merit of 'art' is very subjective, the Aldeburgh Scallop, in particular, strikes me as an eyesore. Perhaps I don't 'understand' it?  An abandoned car on Aldeburgh beach would seem to have as much artistic merit. 

On the other hand, the public art in Harlow is devalued by the dreadful surroundings, dismal architecture and truly brutal use of concrete in the name of modernity.  Only Moore's art relieves what is otherwise possibly the most depressing town centre ever created.

Richard Edmunds, Ipswich

Typical of a person to push HIS views on the rest of us and tell us what HE likes and what HE thinks is good for us. I was hoping was going to tell the councils to stop wasting our money on them, but no. 

Also the Trigon was NOT planted where it is next to the phone boxes, it was there first and has been for years, so please get your facts right and stop moaning about what other people like. Get a life....

Z Cheema

Attached is an image of pure public art created at the expense of the artist for viewing by the thousands of people who drive along the A120 towards Harwich. The Ghost Tree is approximately 3 miles from Colchester and is seen by travellers from all across Europe. The only support received was from the farmer Ian Mitchell who allowed the tree to be painted by the artist Clive Wakeford.

Ghost Tree - good art in the landscape?

It is a narrative on the value of dead trees and also on the negative impact on the environment caused by mankind. It was floodlit at Halloween to celebrate the life of the tree.

Clive Wakeford

Art is a very personal thing.  I detest all the so-called 'public art' that I've seen to date, with one exception - the wonderful (to my eyes) carved tree at the entrance to Nene Park in Peterborough.  The twisted bits of scrap metal and lumps of dreary stone that plague many of our towns and cities are simply expensive eyesores so far as I am concerned. 

Roy, Cambs

Just watched David Lee’s report. What a narrow minded man he is. 

Sculpture is a form of expression. It often provokes strong feelings - positive or negative, it’s a good thing. It opens our minds to new ideas, makes us think.  Thank God he’s a critic and not an artist himself. What a droll experience that would be. 

Art is a matter of personal taste. Because Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring caused a riot on its first performance, does that mean it should never be played again? No. It would be a sad day if you got your way and "90% of public art was melted down". That statement in itself speaks volumes of your narrow mindedness to art. Stop trying to tell people what they should like...

Simon, Colchester

I think it is a complete waste of money. To me the sculptures featured were invasions on the landscape and nothing more.

Marcus, Cambridge

Waste of tax payers' money!

Jane, Cambridge

I think that the critic was narrow minded and ignorant... My boyfriend and I are both art students and we were shouting at the TV. The critic was not constructive and didn't back up his views.

Soph, Norwich

Who on earth does David Lee think he is to say that any piece of art is better than another one?  Art is a very personal thing.  No one should ever tell anyone else what is good art and what is not... Yes, I do like the Scallop. That is my choice. 

Kev Dean, Aldeburgh

If an artist wants to give free of charge a sculpture for public display that's fine, but don't waste tax payers' money funding these flights of fancy, some of which do not represent anything and are an eyesore.

Patrick Barlow, Roade

David Lee's opinions on what is not worthwhile public art are snobbery... Public art is a symbol of optimism in a world where it is increasingly difficult to find positive influences.

Peter Travers, Northampton

I think some of the art in Milton Keynes is very good. I think the report presented was very one sided and didn't reflect some of the good art. It just picked out what the presenter thought was bad.

Chris Wormald, Milton Keynes