Disappointment as dinosaurs denied listed status

A bid to grant Grade II listed status to a trio of steel triceratops has been rejected.

A brightly coloured paint job has compromised "the original austere nature of the art" at Middlesbrough's Teessaurus Park, according to Historic England.

A spokesman told the BBC the dinosaurs also lacked the "overall special interest" required to meet the criteria for listing post-war public art.

The 20th Century Preservation Society (C20 Society), which applied to have artist Genevieve Glatt's sculptures listed, said there was "enormous disappointment" over the decision.

The organisation made the listing bid amid controversy over now-abandoned council plans to move sculptures at the park, which sits on the bank of the River Tees, to make way for Gypsy and traveller pitches.

Three of the dinosaurs at the heart of the popular park were created in the 1970s by Ms Glatt, who won the Arts Council's 1974 Art into Landscape competition.

A C20 Society spokesman said they represented a "rare major 20th Century public art commission for a female artist".

But Historic England's decision not to list the sculptures was influenced in part by the fact Ms Glatt did not go on to become a nationally recognised artist, with the dinosaurs her only public work.

A spokesman acknowledged local interest but said the significance of the artist was a major consideration when assessing a bid against national criteria.

He said the visual impact of the park was lessened by plans for six structures not being realised, adding: "The raw steel materials of the three dinosaur figures have been over painted in multi-colours, compromising the original austere nature of the art."

Expressing disappointment in the decision, the C20 Society spokesman said the raw-steel finish could "easily be reinstated".

He added: "Describing Genevieve Glatt as not a nationally recognised artist is surely missing the point.

"A major public art commission for a female artist was exceedingly rare at the time.

"Great art is not just created by those who attended prestigious institutions."

The dinosaurs were last repainted as part of a major regeneration of the park supported by former Middlesbrough mayor Andy Preston.

He said: "It's a little disappointing that its forever future can't be cast-iron guaranteed with a listing - but in Middlesbrough we're used to knock backs and we just get on with things."

In a statement, Ms Glatt's family said it would have been "very special" to have had the dinosaurs listed but that they understood and supported Historic England's decision.

"The park has evolved, along with the backdrop for which it was designed, so to be loved and relevant to new generations is far more important," they added.

The family also thanked the volunteer group Boro Champions for their efforts in preserving and safeguarding the dinosaurs.

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