‘Vulgar’ four-metre concrete copy of 16th century sculpture in front yard of private home in Melbourne draws complaints – and some encouragement

It’s one of the most famous artworks in the world: Michelangelo’s sublime 16th century sculpture, David. And now the western suburbs of Melbourne has its own, slightly less accomplished, tribute.

A four-metre, concrete copy of the famous artwork has been erected in the front yard of a private home in Caroline Springs, Melbourne, and over the past few weeks has drawn the ire of some neighbours.

The statue has been called “vulgar”, “tacky” and an “eyesore” and there has been a reported increase in street traffic as drivers stop to take photos.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest The 4m-high copy of Michelangelo’s David in the front yard of a home in Caroline Springs, Melbourne. Photograph: Tracey Nearmy/AAP

Neighbours “Robert and Rose” told Nine News they could see the statue from many rooms inside their home, including their back yard: “Unlike anyone else in the neighbourhood, we have to live with it 24/7, there is no escaping it.”

Another neighbour interviewed by the Herald Sun said she could barely avoid seeing the statue, including from the bedrooms of her children and entertainment areas.

“It’s conflicting. I can see the beauty of the art, but the statue, especially its size, is not appropriate for a residential area,” she said.

The local city council of Melton said it had “no jurisdiction” to remove the statue and no planning or building permits were required for it.

“There are no specific guidelines or restrictions in place in regards to statues located in private residential front yards,” Ian Stewart, the council’s compliance manager said.

The council had so far received three official complaints, he added.

But creative director of the Melbourne fringe festival, Simon Abrahams, said any opportunity for someone to make art and display this in their homes or on their land was “something we should absolutely encourage”.



“I am absolutely in favour of people expressing themselves and expressing their love of public art in public space,” he said.

He admitted, based on the photos, it didn’t appear the person responsible for the work had adapted the classical masterpiece to its surroundings. “It looks like a reproduction that hasn’t re-imagined what that work could be in a contemporary Australia context,” he said. “Which, for me, would be a more interesting take.”

He said it was fascinating to see how divisive art could be in the suburbs of Melbourne and the conflict between what should be public versus private art.

Art critic Andrew Frost said it was “heartwarming” to see an interest in Renaissance art in the suburbs of Melbourne, “even if it’s not quite the real thing”.

“Indeed, the statue is far more interesting and beguiling because it’s a modern interpretation of Michelangelo rather than an exact copy. Exact copies are so easy to come by nowadays and this shows some imagination in its interpretation, even while missing the master’s understanding of materials, form and perspective.

“Kitsch is for the ages,” he said.