Days after leaving Britain to return to his native Israel, the illusionist Uri Geller sent out a defiant message for planning authorities in his former home town: “You can take my spoon, but you’ll never bend my creative freedom.”
The challenge comes after councillors warned that his parting gift to his adopted home of Sonning-on-Thames in Berkshire – a bright red statue, modelled after one of his trademark mangled spoons – had been erected without permission.
The statue, which was made by the artist Paul Wells and sits on the Thames Path opposite a mansion belonging to George and Amal Clooney, was only unveiled on Monday, apparently with the prior agreement of Sonning parish council.
“I bought this sculpture to remind people Uri Geller used to walk along this path,” the illusionist said as it was unveiled.
“The village is spiritual, it’s an incredible centre of energy with the river. It’s amazing with all the celebrities popping up. I hear Taylor Swift wants to buy my house, where is she?”
But the Pennsylvanian pop starlet may never get the chance to see the statue. Wokingham borough council, the responsible authority, said the proper planning procedures had not been followed. Geller will have to apply to them for permission or face having the statue torn down.
Geller, 68, said in a statement: “My understanding is that all the proper permission was granted. I had spoken to the past president of the parish council who assured me that it was fine.
“This is a totally one-of-a-kind piece of art, which has been created for the village of Sonning-on-Thames. It would seem to me to be a great shame if the red spoon should be removed due to red tape.”
Geller is now back in the Middle East. He has said he intends to take part in various humanitarian projects in Israel. But for now, he has unfinished business back in Britain.
Councillor John Kaiser, Wokingham borough council’s executive member for planning and highways, said: “The statue needs planning permission to be erected, and we haven’t yet received a planning application for it.
“So we will be writing to him, inviting him to submit an application as soon as possible,” he said.
