THE controversial Donald Trump head 'Helter Shelter' by artist Callum Morton which has been stationed in Alfred Deakin Place has been removed due to vandalism.
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The Art Gallery of Ballarat has decided that due to ongoing damaged to the installation, it could no longer remain on public display in the centre of the city.
"The artwork is intended to provoke conversation about current political trends and has been displayed previously both on the Gold Coast and in Sydney without vandalism but there has been damage to it in the time it has been in Ballarat," the gallery said in a statement this afternoon.
The artwork was installed in January this year with the work previously recognised internationally in the 'Top Ten Public Artworks of 2018'.
Morton has said the artwork 'belongs to the language of the protest march', comparing it to papier-maché puppets of politicians that appear at rallies.
Art Gallery of Ballarat Director Louise Tegart said that while the Gallery and the artist were aware that the sculpture was vulnerable in a public space, they had hoped that people would respect the artist's work.
"The sculpture has been the focus of commentary, both through social media and with people surrounding it with statements written in chalk, however the damage which has occurred to the artwork itself goes beyond the reasonable range of reactions we might expect from this kind of work," Ms Tegart said.
"This has not happened in either Gold Coast or Sydney where the work has been displayed in public areas previously.
"Whatever people feel about Trump, there really is no excuse for malicious damage."
She said that the parts of the face had been pushed in, breaking the fibreglass shell and exposing the underlying material.
"The piece is intended to be provocative and a conversation starter, but deliberate damage to it is disappointing to say the least. It is unfortunate that Ballarat is the only place where the work has sustained damage," she said.
"The damage has been reported to Victoria Police, who have reviewed CCTV footage of Alfred Deakin Place."
The artwork was expected to remain on show until April 5.
Anyone with information about the vandalism is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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