SEATTLE — Controversy is brewing in a West Seattle neighborhood over a homeowner’s anatomically correct outdoor wood carvings.
The sculptures were once tall elm trees that had to be trimmed to prevent the spread of disease. Some neighbors said they support the carvings; others said they don’t belong in an area full of families.
“(He) obviously doesn’t understand the difference between pornography and art, and there’s no explaining it to him,” said Steve Holter, who lives across the street and is a sculptor himself.
He said he most objects to a large phallic carving on a mythical dragon, which faces directly out into the street.
“This is a family neighborhood,” Holter said. “There’s like 20 kids under 10 or 11 here. I don’t want my kids learning about male anatomy from this person’s twisted imagination.”
The owner of the carvings declined to talk to KIRO 7 on camera or be identified. He said there may be litigation involving one of the neighbors opposed to the carvings.
He said he believes the sculptures are legally protected art, and some neighbors agree.
“Art is supposed to be a personal expression, and art is not always appreciated by everyone,” said Janet Porter, another neighbor.
The carver said he’s planning to carve the remaining trees.
Holter said he fears they’ll be even more sexually explicit.
“I have no problem with someone having sculptures like that in their yard, their house, whatever, but showing them in everybody’s face is basically just a big middle finger to the whole neighborhood,” he said.
The man who owns the carvings said he hopes to have them completed by the end of the year.
KIRO
