Artist defends Harris statue

A LEADING sculptor hit back yesterday at criticism of his bronze statue of Richard Harris in Limerick city centre.

Jim Connolly was locked in a war of words over his work, entitled Peace Not War based on Harris’s role in Camelot.

Limerick artist John Shinnors dismissed the statue, located in Bedford Row as “touristy kitsch” and claimed it was an opportunity lost to honour Harris.

Another figure in the Limerick art scene, Thomas Delohery said: “I think it’s absolutely awful. It’s too small. Richard Harris was six foot three. They should have built it higher. Harris was bigger than life. His nose is wrong; basic, simple stuff they should have got right.”

However, Mr Connolly who was commissioned by Limerick City Council to execute the €150,000 bronze statue, claimed it was, in fact, larger than life.

Mr Connolly, who lives in West Clare said: “Richard Harris was six foot and not six foot three.”

He had verified this with Noel Harris, brother of the late film star. “The statue measures six feet and two inches.”

Mayor of Limerick Cllr Ger Fahy, who unveiled the statue last September, said: “It’s impossible to please everyone. It is understandable many people have differing perspectives on the statue given Richard Harris’s colourful and varied life.”