Ownership row reignites 'Old Flo' sale opposition

 
p34 File photo dated 03/06/96 of Henry Moore's scultpture Draped, Seated Woman by Henry Moore, which has been sold by Tower Hamlets Council to claw back money lost in budget cuts, it emerged tonight. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Wednesday November 7, 2012. The sale had drawn vocal opposition from prominent figures in the British art world, including film-maker Danny Boyle, Tate director Nicholas Serota and the artist's daughter Mary Moore. See PA story ARTS Moore. Photo credit should read: PA Wire
Louise Jury|Josh Loeb20 December 2012

A rival council has staked a claim to ownership of the Henry Moore sculpture in a move that could stop Tower Hamlets selling it.

Tower Hamlets Council is determined to auction off Draped Seated Woman, also known as “Old Flo”, but Bromley Council says that it is the rightful owner of the asset.

Bromley Council leader Stephen Carr said that because the sculpture was bought by London County Council (LCC) in the 1960s it did not belong to Tower Hamlets.

Opponents argue that after the LCC was disbanded the statue became the property of the Greater London Council and was later transferred to the London Borough of Bromley.

Mr Carr said: “This sculpture must remain in public ownership which is line with the original principles of Henry Moore himself.

“The idea that selling this internationally recognised sculpture will somehow tackle the financial situation facing Tower Hamlets is flawed. Local authorities need to face financial reality and look at the longer-term challenges.

“The monies raised would not protect frontline services for very long and would stop future generations appreciating this national treasure.”

Lawyers for the Art Fund charity have written to Tower Hamlets challenging the legality of a sale, and arguing that when the Greater London Council was abolished in 1986, no specific order transferred ownership of the piece.

Tower Hamlets disputes said ownership of the sculpture was transferred to it during local government reorganisation.

Mayor of Tower Hamlets Lutfur Rahman said he had been forced into selling the artwork because his council faces £100million government cuts in its budget.

The row over who owns Old Flo is the latest twist in a saga that has seen interventions by prominent art world figures including film director Danny Boyle and Tate boss Sir Nicholas Serota as well as Boris Johnson.

The work was bought for £6,000 and sited on the Stifford housing estate in Stepney until 1997, when it was loaned to a sculture park in Yorkshire after being vandalised.

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