The statues are dressed to impress on the river

Published on Thursday 1 July 2010 10:05

DECORATING statues with traffic cones is nothing new, but when it comes to modern works by one of the country's foremost sculptors it seems only right that something a bit more up-to-date is used.

Edinburgh residents have not disappointed, with the works in the Six Times installation by Antony Gormley already adorned with a "We love Leith" T-shirt, a bikini, and even a bath.

The six cast-iron figures, which Gormley moulded from his own naked body, are dotted along the Water of Leith from the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art to an abandoned pier at Leith Docks.

Despite being the work of one of Britain's most respected sculptors – Gormley created the Angel of the North – the figures have already been dressed in a pink bikini and one has even had a bathtub placed over its head.

Speaking during a visit to Edinburgh last month, Gormley said he welcomed public interaction with his work.

He said: "I thought the pink bikini was a very nice opening garland of the work. I'm not too worried, these works are fairly robust. They weigh three-quarters of a ton each.

"It's important that everyone realises this is an experiment. We have to see how people will react to these works."

Members of campaign group Greener Leith are among those who have already cycled along the trail of the statues.

The group, which promotes the I Love Leith campaign, recorded its delight after seeing one of the Gormley artworks dressed in its T-shirt.

A statement on the Greener Leith blog said: "Imagine our surprise when we got to Stockbridge to discover one wearing a We Love Leith T-shirt.

"We had no idea that news of our arrival would be greeted with such a public display of affection from the residents of Stockbridge."