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Fresh controversy has erupted over Antony Gormley's installations in Central .Photo: Felix Wong

Antony Gormley's Naked Man sculpture fenced off in Hong Kong Central district after complaint it is an 'obstruction'

Highways Department fences off work by British artist, then rules that there is no problem

Whether they are up on the roof or down on the ground, they are equally controversial.

While some members of the public mistook Antony Gormley's Naked Man sculptures erected on the top of skyscrapers as suicide attempts last week, one of the world famous statues erected at ground level on Queen's Road Central was deemed an "obstruction".

The sculpture, one of 31 pieces featured in the city's largest privately funded public art installation, called , was fenced off on Tuesday by Highways Department staff.

Three railings marked with Highways Department logos formed a triangle surrounding the life-size sculpture at the junction of Queen's Road Central and Theatre Lane.

A photo of the scene was circulated on the internet, drawing criticism of the department for ruining the artwork.

READ MORE: Rooftop statues in Hong Kong trigger suicide fears

But in response to a inquiry, the Highways Department said there was a reason for the action.

"We received a public complaint," a Highways Department spokesman said. He said someone complained to the department that the statue was an "obstruction".

"Our contractor temporarily fenced off the concerned area for inspection. The inspection confirmed that the concerned footpath was in proper condition and the area was immediately reopened," added the spokesman.

Naked Man sculpture is fenced off in Central. Photo: SCMP Pictures

"The Highways Department is responsible for maintenance of public roads. We engage contractors to undertake routine inspection and where necessary arrange appropriate maintenance to public roads."

Over the past two weeks, police said they had received 29 reports from worried people who mistook the sculptures mounted on rooftops as suicide attempts.

Last year, Hongkong Land reportedly withdrew sponsorship following objections from J.P. Morgan after one of the US investment bank's Hong Kong employees plunged to his death from a Hongkong Land building in Central.

Presented by the British Council, consists of 31 sculptures - 27 made of fibreglass for mounting on rooftops and four more, made of cast iron, for erection at ground level.

The installations will remain in place until May 18.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: It's an obstruction, insists complainant about statue
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