A much-loved sculpture in west London has been destroyed in a suspected arson attack, leaving its local community heartbroken.
Flames ripped through the People’s Throne in Acton Gardens, Ealing, on Wednesday night and charred a large section of the colourful sculpture.
The piece of artwork was created by local artist Adebayo Bolaji, 42, in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement and the death of George Floyd, who was killed by an American police officer, and aimed to “uplift the community”.
Mr Bolaji woke up on his birthday on Thursday to clips of his sculpture burning from his brother and devastated neighbours.
“It looks like it was intentional,” he told the Standard. “There was a cloth attached to some oil or something like that. It has been premeditated and someone clearly went there to destroy the thing.
“It definitely was not the best thing to wake up to something like this on my birthday. I saw a video from my brother on WhatsApp and thought he’d made me a silly kind of video - as he does.”
He added: “It’s not great. Especially because of what it stands for and its whole purpose.”
The artist, who grew up in Ealing, was selected to create the public sculpture due to his connection to the area.
He explained he came up with the idea when “the idea of monuments in public spaces became a new discussion” .
The design was made with the help of the local community and children from the youth centre, which Mr Bolaji used to attend.
The artist continued: “I thought of this idea of a throne that uplifts the people and uplifts the community.
“It had to be something that people could interact with, walk under or sit on.”
The statue was erected in 2023 as part of the regeneration of the South Acton Estate and has become a meeting place for friends and playground for nearby school children since.
“Kids literally run from school to go and sit on it. It has become a beautiful physical conversation for people,” Mr Bolaji added.
“Why would you want to come and do this. It’s not just someone walking past and they have a lighter.
“You can see the bottle with the cloth in it. You have to have that already. You have premeditated that.”
The artist has reported the incident to the Met Police and the area was blocked off to the public.
Footage of the fire shows flames ripping through the back and seat of the sculpture before firefighters hosed it down on Thursday night.
Mr Bolaji has received an outpouring of support following the damage, with people asking if they can help crowdfund to replace the sculpture.
The artist added: “I don’t want to let this get my spirits down. I don’t want to become cynical. It’s not my style. Let this [sculpture’s] sentiment continue and let’s find a way to rebuild it.”
“There is no way that we will let that one act crush the spirit - absolutely not.”
The Met Police and London Fire Brigade have been contacted for comment.
