27 Works of Public Art that Could Have Used a More Rigorous Peer Review

Carly Tennes Published 07/17/2024 in Trending

While the best art isn't without controversy — just take a look at Pablo Picasso's "Guernica" or "Olympia" by Édouard Manet — some art ruffles feathers for all the wrong reasons — namely, serving as an eyesore in their communities. As long as there has been public art, there has been bad public art, a sentiment several residents across the globe have learned the hard way.

From a turkey that resembles roast beef to a very Freudian 9/11 memorial, here are 17 works of public art that are best described as absolutely terrible.

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1. 9/11 Memorial Statue
Though meant to commemorate the September 11, 2001 attacks, this statue in New Bern, North Carolina seems to laude a big ‘ol ding dong instead.
2. Inversion: Plus Minus
While Inversion: Plus Minus may be meant to mimic the silhouettes of former buildings in Portland, Oregon, the final product has proven divisive, one Redditor describing it as “silly.”
3. Peace Gorilla
Nothing says “peace and love” — and “Brooklyn eyesore” — quite like an 800 gorilla covered in the words for “Friend” in various languages.
4. ArcelorMittal Orbit
Though built to commemorate the 2012 Olympics in London, the Anish Kapoor-statue was so despised that local officials later added a working slide to attract visitors.
5. Dialogue with History
After nearly three decades on display, this statue, which was widely nicknamed “The Toilet” was bulldozed in 2015.
6. Blue Mustang
This statue, complete with glowing red eyes and an aura of evilness, not only managed to kill its sculpture, but stoke the flames on several conspiracies surrounding Denver International Airport
7. Sky’s the Limit in the County of Kings 
Honoring the Notorious B.I.G. in his hometown of Brooklyn, several skeptics had questions about the sculpture, namely, to quote one redditor “Why’d they turn him into a vending machine?”
8. Autoeater
Depicting a strange creature chowing down on a Fiat Panda, the sculpture — one a local Redditor dubbed a “Forskin [sic] Monster” — was only on display in Atlanta, Georgia for three years before getting removed.
9. Pink Elephant
Located in Guthrie, Kentucky, this massive Pink Elephant is the elephant in the room … or should we say roadside.
10. The Awakening
You may not have worried about quicksand since elementary school, but the same cannot be said of the man depicted in this Maryland sculpture.
11. Chef Boyardee Statue
When he’s not stalking your car home from the grocery store, Chef Boyardee is posting up in Omaha, Nebraska.
12. The Sunbather
First unveiled in 2014, “The Sunbather” rubbed locals in Long Island City the wrong way, garnering comparisons to “pink p—p” and “Gumby’s grandmother,” per one local blog.
13. 'Seagull Cinderella'
On display in New Bedford, Massachusetts, Seagull Cinderella boldly asks “what if sea birds had bazongas?”
14. Monument to the Revolution of the people of Moslavina
Though this World War II memorial sculpture was completed in 1967, one Redditor had an apt idea about renaming this ‘Star Wars’ -esque monument. “They should just call it what it is,” they wrote. “A contingency plan to escape earth during the apocalypse.”
15. Statue of Jack the Pardoned Turkey
This statue in Hartford, Conneticut looks more like roast beef than a Turkey.
16. A Conversation with Oscar Wilde
This London work may have intended to commemorate Oscar Wilde, but would up paying homage to a nice pasta dinner.
17. The Embrace Memorial
While intended to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, this Boston statue sent a different message, one about eating the booty like groceries.
18. Marine Venus, Halifax, Canada
19.
20. Santa Claus, Rotterdam, Netherlands.
21. Okeanos, San Diego, California
22. Quasi, Christchurch, New Zealand.
23. The Pigduck, Turku, Finland.
24. Nathan Bedford Forrest Statue, Nashville, Tennessee.
25. Gymnast III, Des Moines, Iowa
26. Vomiting Horse - Brazil's City Of Curiti
27. Phallic Footballs
This once despised statue stood outside the University of Wisconsin's Camp Randall Stadium and was the brainchild of New York-based sculptor and former UW-Madison alumni, Donald Lipski. What do you see? Footballs or . .

1. 9/11 Memorial Statue
Though meant to commemorate the September 11, 2001 attacks, this statue in New Bern, North Carolina seems to laude a big ‘ol ding dong instead.
2. Inversion: Plus Minus
While Inversion: Plus Minus may be meant to mimic the silhouettes of former buildings in Portland, Oregon, the final product has proven divisive, one Redditor describing it as “silly.”
3. Peace Gorilla
Nothing says “peace and love” — and “Brooklyn eyesore” — quite like an 800 gorilla covered in the words for “Friend” in various languages.
4. ArcelorMittal Orbit
Though built to commemorate the 2012 Olympics in London, the Anish Kapoor-statue was so despised that local officials later added a working slide to attract visitors.
5. Dialogue with History
After nearly three decades on display, this statue, which was widely nicknamed “The Toilet” was bulldozed in 2015.
6. Blue Mustang
This statue, complete with glowing red eyes and an aura of evilness, not only managed to kill its sculpture, but stoke the flames on several conspiracies surrounding Denver International Airport
7. Sky’s the Limit in the County of Kings 
Honoring the Notorious B.I.G. in his hometown of Brooklyn, several skeptics had questions about the sculpture, namely, to quote one redditor “Why’d they turn him into a vending machine?”
8. Autoeater
Depicting a strange creature chowing down on a Fiat Panda, the sculpture — one a local Redditor dubbed a “Forskin [sic] Monster” — was only on display in Atlanta, Georgia for three years before getting removed.
9. Pink Elephant
Located in Guthrie, Kentucky, this massive Pink Elephant is the elephant in the room … or should we say roadside.
10. The Awakening
You may not have worried about quicksand since elementary school, but the same cannot be said of the man depicted in this Maryland sculpture.
11. Chef Boyardee Statue
When he’s not stalking your car home from the grocery store, Chef Boyardee is posting up in Omaha, Nebraska.
12. The Sunbather
First unveiled in 2014, “The Sunbather” rubbed locals in Long Island City the wrong way, garnering comparisons to “pink p—p” and “Gumby’s grandmother,” per one local blog.
13. 'Seagull Cinderella'
On display in New Bedford, Massachusetts, Seagull Cinderella boldly asks “what if sea birds had bazongas?”
14. Monument to the Revolution of the people of Moslavina
Though this World War II memorial sculpture was completed in 1967, one Redditor had an apt idea about renaming this ‘Star Wars’ -esque monument. “They should just call it what it is,” they wrote. “A contingency plan to escape earth during the apocalypse.”
15. Statue of Jack the Pardoned Turkey
This statue in Hartford, Conneticut looks more like roast beef than a Turkey.
16. A Conversation with Oscar Wilde
This London work may have intended to commemorate Oscar Wilde, but would up paying homage to a nice pasta dinner.
17. The Embrace Memorial
While intended to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, this Boston statue sent a different message, one about eating the booty like groceries.
18. Marine Venus, Halifax, Canada
19.
20. Santa Claus, Rotterdam, Netherlands.
21. Okeanos, San Diego, California
22. Quasi, Christchurch, New Zealand.
23. The Pigduck, Turku, Finland.
24. Nathan Bedford Forrest Statue, Nashville, Tennessee.
25. Gymnast III, Des Moines, Iowa
26. Vomiting Horse - Brazil's City Of Curiti
27. Phallic Footballs
This once despised statue stood outside the University of Wisconsin's Camp Randall Stadium and was the brainchild of New York-based sculptor and former UW-Madison alumni, Donald Lipski. What do you see? Footballs or . .

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9/11 Memorial Statue
Though meant to commemorate the September 11, 2001 attacks, this statue in New Bern, North Carolina seems to laude a big ‘ol ding dong instead.

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1. 9/11 Memorial Statue Though meant to commemorate the September 11, 2001 attacks, this statue in New Bern, North Carolina seems to laude a big ‘ol ding dong instead.

2. Inversion: Plus Minus While Inversion: Plus Minus may be meant to mimic the silhouettes of former buildings in Portland, Oregon, the final product has proven divisive, one Redditor describing it as “silly.”

3. Peace Gorilla Nothing says “peace and love” — and “Brooklyn eyesore” — quite like an 800 gorilla covered in the words for “Friend” in various languages.

4. ArcelorMittal Orbit Though built to commemorate the 2012 Olympics in London, the Anish Kapoor-statue was so despised that local officials later added a working slide to attract visitors.

5. Dialogue with History After nearly three decades on display, this statue, which was widely nicknamed “The Toilet” was bulldozed in 2015.

6. Blue Mustang This statue, complete with glowing red eyes and an aura of evilness, not only managed to kill its sculpture, but stoke the flames on several conspiracies surrounding Denver International Airport

7. Sky’s the Limit in the County of Kings Honoring the Notorious B.I.G. in his hometown of Brooklyn, several skeptics had questions about the sculpture, namely, to quote one redditor “Why’d they turn him into a vending machine?”

8. Autoeater Depicting a strange creature chowing down on a Fiat Panda, the sculpture — one a local Redditor dubbed a “Forskin [sic] Monster” — was only on display in Atlanta, Georgia for three years before getting removed.

9. Pink Elephant Located in Guthrie, Kentucky, this massive Pink Elephant is the elephant in the room … or should we say roadside.

10. The Awakening You may not have worried about quicksand since elementary school, but the same cannot be said of the man depicted in this Maryland sculpture.

11. Chef Boyardee Statue When he’s not stalking your car home from the grocery store, Chef Boyardee is posting up in Omaha, Nebraska.

12. The Sunbather First unveiled in 2014, “The Sunbather” rubbed locals in Long Island City the wrong way, garnering comparisons to “pink p—p” and “Gumby’s grandmother,” per one local blog.

13. 'Seagull Cinderella' On display in New Bedford, Massachusetts, Seagull Cinderella boldly asks “what if sea birds had bazongas?”

15. Statue of Jack the Pardoned Turkey This statue in Hartford, Conneticut looks more like roast beef than a Turkey.

16. A Conversation with Oscar Wilde This London work may have intended to commemorate Oscar Wilde, but would up paying homage to a nice pasta dinner.

17. The Embrace Memorial While intended to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, this Boston statue sent a different message, one about eating the booty like groceries.

18. Marine Venus, Halifax, Canada

19.

20. Santa Claus, Rotterdam, Netherlands.

21. Okeanos, San Diego, California

22. Quasi, Christchurch, New Zealand.

23. The Pigduck, Turku, Finland.

24. Nathan Bedford Forrest Statue, Nashville, Tennessee.

25. Gymnast III, Des Moines, Iowa

26. Vomiting Horse - Brazil's City Of Curiti

27. Phallic Footballs This once despised statue stood outside the University of Wisconsin's Camp Randall Stadium and was the brainchild of New York-based sculptor and former UW-Madison alumni, Donald Lipski. What do you see? Footballs or . .

1. 9/11 Memorial Statue

2. Inversion: Plus Minus

3. Peace Gorilla

4. ArcelorMittal Orbit

5. Dialogue with History

6. Blue Mustang

7. Sky’s the Limit in the County of Kings

8. Autoeater

9. Pink Elephant

10. The Awakening

11. Chef Boyardee Statue

12. The Sunbather

13. 'Seagull Cinderella'

14. Monument to the Revolution of the people of Moslavina

15. Statue of Jack the Pardoned Turkey

16. A Conversation with Oscar Wilde

17. The Embrace Memorial

18. Marine Venus, Halifax, Canada

19.

20. Santa Claus, Rotterdam, Netherlands.

21. Okeanos, San Diego, California

22. Quasi, Christchurch, New Zealand.

23. The Pigduck, Turku, Finland.

24. Nathan Bedford Forrest Statue, Nashville, Tennessee.

25. Gymnast III, Des Moines, Iowa

26. Vomiting Horse - Brazil's City Of Curiti

27. Phallic Footballs

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3 Comments

eBaum's Picks

1. 9/11 Memorial Statue
Though meant to commemorate the September 11, 2001 attacks, this statue in New Bern, North Carolina seems to laude a big ‘ol ding dong instead.

2. Inversion: Plus Minus
While Inversion: Plus Minus may be meant to mimic the silhouettes of former buildings in Portland, Oregon, the final product has proven divisive, one Redditor describing it as “silly.”

3. Peace Gorilla
Nothing says “peace and love” — and “Brooklyn eyesore” — quite like an 800 gorilla covered in the words for “Friend” in various languages.

4. ArcelorMittal Orbit
Though built to commemorate the 2012 Olympics in London, the Anish Kapoor-statue was so despised that local officials later added a working slide to attract visitors.

5. Dialogue with History
After nearly three decades on display, this statue, which was widely nicknamed “The Toilet” was bulldozed in 2015.

6. Blue Mustang
This statue, complete with glowing red eyes and an aura of evilness, not only managed to kill its sculpture, but stoke the flames on several conspiracies surrounding Denver International Airport

7. Sky’s the Limit in the County of Kings 
Honoring the Notorious B.I.G. in his hometown of Brooklyn, several skeptics had questions about the sculpture, namely, to quote one redditor “Why’d they turn him into a vending machine?”

8. Autoeater
Depicting a strange creature chowing down on a Fiat Panda, the sculpture — one a local Redditor dubbed a “Forskin [sic] Monster” — was only on display in Atlanta, Georgia for three years before getting removed.

9. Pink Elephant
Located in Guthrie, Kentucky, this massive Pink Elephant is the elephant in the room … or should we say roadside.

10. The Awakening
You may not have worried about quicksand since elementary school, but the same cannot be said of the man depicted in this Maryland sculpture.

11. Chef Boyardee Statue
When he’s not stalking your car home from the grocery store, Chef Boyardee is posting up in Omaha, Nebraska.

12. The Sunbather
First unveiled in 2014, “The Sunbather” rubbed locals in Long Island City the wrong way, garnering comparisons to “pink p—p” and “Gumby’s grandmother,” per one local blog.

13. 'Seagull Cinderella'
On display in New Bedford, Massachusetts, Seagull Cinderella boldly asks “what if sea birds had bazongas?”

15. Statue of Jack the Pardoned Turkey
This statue in Hartford, Conneticut looks more like roast beef than a Turkey.

16. A Conversation with Oscar Wilde
This London work may have intended to commemorate Oscar Wilde, but would up paying homage to a nice pasta dinner.

17. The Embrace Memorial
While intended to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, this Boston statue sent a different message, one about eating the booty like groceries.

27. Phallic Footballs
This once despised statue stood outside the University of Wisconsin's Camp Randall Stadium and was the brainchild of New York-based sculptor and former UW-Madison alumni, Donald Lipski. What do you see? Footballs or . .

7. Sky’s the Limit in the County of Kings 