Whether the Pillar of Shame has high artistic value is in the eye of the beholder. But it has certainly put some people to shame.
It has shamed members of the urban and regional councils who refused to allow its exhibition because they did not like its purported political message.
The decision was a blatant act of censorship.
The councillors failed to realise that the electorate gave them a mandate to manage public places, but no right to refuse an exhibit because they do not like its politics.
By contrast, the management of the University of Hong Kong has set an admirable example by allowing the statue to be displayed for two weeks, as is the rule for other exhibits.
It might be said the university had no choice, because the statue was already there thanks to a cunning act by students and any attempt to remove it would spark angry protests.
