Austin Camilleri’s Disputed Eight-Legged Horse Statue For Gozitan ODZ Approved By PA
Gozitan artist Austin Camilleri’s disputed design for a horse statue on Gozitan ODZ land has been given the green light by the Planning Authority (PA).
Apart from the design set to be constructed in the outside development zone, the area is also a Natura 2000 site – designated a special conservation area – which is supposedly protected by EU environmental law.
With not much surprise, the PA granted the permit on Tuesday, even though both the Environment and Resources Authority and the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage objected to the application given the location.
In its report, ERA deemed the design as “out of context and incompatible with the natural surroundings and the pristine coast landscape” and advised the Planning Authority to reject the proposal.
Lovin Malta had initially reported on the surfacing of the application back in 2022, after a land ownership dispute ensued.
The eight-legged horse statue, a design which has raised many questions, will be placed overlooking the pristine cliffs of Xwejni, Gozo, along Triq is-Sagħtrija.
The plans, with the application filed by the Gozo Ministry itself, will see way over €200,000 spent from public funds to complete.
The Ministry has since claimed that the design came along after a public call for art, with Camilleri’s design being one of the four winning entries selected by the jury.
However, the decision process was not made public.
Close to the proposed site, salt pans which are still used to this day are situated, with the Xwejni area being one of the most untouched locations on the Gozitan island.
Camilleri is also known for his Neil Agius statue and the controversial Zieme statue, which had been placed in the streets of Valletta.
What do you make of this approval? Do you like the design?
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