Greta Berlin 'heartbroken' as Bridport sculpture vandalised

As previously reported by the News, the ‘Skateboarder’ sculpture, created by Greta Berlin, was found left in a mangled heap on the ground at Bridport Skate Park earlier this month.

The sculpture has been taken away for repairs after being trashed by vandals.

Ms Berlin said: "It was just a shock. To bend the steel of the skateboard – I can’t even do that with my vice. I don't even know if I will be able to mend it.

"It’s heart breaking, I try not to take it personally but I am a human being and it’s my life’s work.

The artwork, which is part of the ‘Life Size and Larger’ collection, depicted an abstract person skateboarding in Plottingham Field.

Councillor Dave Rickard, leader of Bridport Town Council, said: “Many people think these sculptures impact the environment and make the open spaces interesting. It’s such a shame that people think it’s okay to come and vandalise them.”

The sculpture has been taken away to receive necessary repairs from the artist, but sadly, this is not the first of Ms Berlin’s creative sculptures around Bridport to have been vandalised.

‘The Rock Woman’ in Riverside Gardens was also vandalised in 2023, just a year after it was placed in the public gardens as part of a town sculpture trail, and she had to take the artwork back to her studio to repair.

The artist said: "The Rock Woman sculpture has been vandalised twice and it has taken me all winter to repair. I don’t know how long I can go on repairing them. I just don’t understand why people do it."

The vandalised Rock Woman sculpture (Image: Bridport Town Council)

Despite all the destruction, the sculptor is determined to 'keep making things and putting them out.'