Lucille Ball statue (Photo : Facebook)
The creator of a scary-looking statue of 1950s TV star Lucille Ball has said that he apologizes for making an "unsettling" sculpture. He has also offered to fix the artwork for free.
Ball is best known for starring in the hit TV show "I love Lucy," which ran from 1951 to 1957. In 1962 she became the first woman to operate a major television studio, Desilu. The name is a blend of her ex-husband's and co-star's name, Desi; and her name, Lucy.
The bronze statue, weighing 400 pounds (181 kg), was publically displayed in 2009 in Ball's hometown of Celeron, New York. Since then it has upset and annoyed many local residents.
The artwork made headline news over the Easter weekend. A Facebook group in Celeron made a petition to have the statue removed, according to Toronto Sun. The petition was named "We Love Lucy! Get Rid of This Statue."
Dave Poulin, the artist who made the sculpture explains in a letter to the Hollywood Reporter that he is responsible for "Scary Lucy." Poulin also explains that he had no goal of ridiculing Ball's "iconic " image.
Poulin had "disappointment" in the final appearance of the statue. He explains that it is without question the "most unsettling" statue he has ever created.
Poulin says in the letter that he is willing to cover all the expenses required to retouch the statue, according to Hollywood Reporter. He guarantees that he will return to Celeron and replace the current statue with a new "beautiful" and "charming" artwork.
However, Scott Schrecengost, mayor of Celeron, has stated that the statue will remain displayed until he makes a repair plan. He also wants a new artist to repair the statue.
