Antony Gormley's STAY sculpture in the Avon River was tangled in weeds and sticks when photographed on May 24.

The $800,000 Antony Gormley sculpture in Christchurch's Avon River is acting as a weed catcher, with council staff having to clear debris from around its base at least twice a week.

The sculpture, called STAY, was purchased by the Christchurch City Council and government last year and installed in the Avon River near the Gloucester St bridge in September.

Council head of parks, Andrew Rutledge, said debris and even clothing placed on the statue was removed twice a week.

IAIN MCGREGOR/FAIRFAX NZ Antony Gormley's STAY statue is acting as a weed catcher in the Avon.

"The maintenance programme for Stay is a check on Tuesday and Fridays each week. This is to remove any clothing and/or debris around the base and to wash any bird droppings off," he said.

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"Additional visits are made as required in between. Access to the artwork will be river and weather dependant, that is if the river is in flood we will not be accessing it till the water goes down and it is safe. Therefore there may be a delay in removing build-up in high river events."

DEAN KOZANIC/FAIRFAX NZ The Gormley statue in March after heavy rain raised river levels.

The statue has been dressed in a high-viz vest and even an All Black jersey since it was installed. Rutledge said the maintenance level for the sculpture was anticipated.

A photograph taken on Tuesday last week shows the sculpture in a tangle of sticks and weeds almost up to the figure's waist.

The Gormley statue is made of cast iron and weighs 650 kilograms. It was craned into place in September last year and sits on a six-metre deep pile.