Kent Council Sells Antony Gormley's Early Public Sculpture Back to Artist Amid Budget Crisis
The Reform party-led Kent County Council has privately sold Antony Gormley's sculpture Two Stones, created between 1979 and 1981, back to the artist. The eight-ton granite piece was taken down from its location outside the Kent History and Library Centre in Maidstone during the week of April 6. Officials from the council attributed the sale to financial constraints, noting its valuation at £859,000 in the 2024/25 accounts, although the actual sale price remains undisclosed. This transaction follows an auction of 168 lots that took place earlier this year. Green Party leader Stuart Jeffery expressed disapproval of the discreet removal, while Paula Orrell cautioned that selling public art could harm cultural vitality. Gormley has not commented, and the sculpture continues to appear on his website as a permanent installation.
Key facts
- Antony Gormley's sculpture Two Stones (1979-81) was sold back to the artist by Kent County Council
- The Reform-run council removed the work from outside Kent History and Library Centre in Maidstone during week beginning April 6
- The council cited severe budget deficits and financial pressures as justification for the sale
- Two Stones was Gormley's first public commission, created while teaching at Maidstone College of Art
- The sculpture comprises an eight-ton granite boulder from Scotland with a bronze and concrete replica
- The work was valued at £859,000 in the council's 2024/25 accounts
- This follows another council sale earlier this year of 168 lots including works by Tony Ray-Jones and Andy Goldsworthy
- The sculpture had been relocated to the library center in 2013 after vandalism at its previous Ashford location
Entities
Artists
- Antony Gormley
- Tony Ray-Jones
- Andy Goldsworthy
Institutions
- Kent County Council
- Arts Council England
- Maidstone College of Art
- Contemporary Visual Arts Network
- The Art Newspaper
- Byline Times
- Kent Current
- ArtUK
- Sworders Fine Art Auctioneers
- Maidstone Borough Council
- Green Party
- Reform
Locations
- Kent
- England
- Maidstone
- Scotland
- Gateshead
- Ashford
- Singleton Lane
- Bentham
- Yorkshire