 LIVERPOOL’S iconic Superlambanana sculpture could leave the city before the end of Capital of Culture year, the Daily Post can reveal. The solicitor representing the Japanese creator, Taro Chiezo, last night claimed the sculpture had only ever been on loan to Liverpool for a period of 10 years from its arrival in 1998, and could be sold from May. Francis McEntegart, of Chime Management, said figures in the arts world had already shown interest in buying the work – including a number in Manchester. He has written to the Liverpool Culture Company to open discussions about selling the artwork and last night called on the company to secure the sculpture for the city. The Culture Company said that once it had received the letter it would respond accordingly. LAST night, former Liverpool councillor Lady Doreen Jones, who used to look after the Superlambanana, said “it would be criminal” if it left the city and the prospect would create outrage. Mr McEntegart said the sculpture was originally commissioned in May, 1998, by the Artranspennine Exhibition. The 17ft sculpture passed to the Liverpool Architect Design Trust (LADT) but Mr McEntegart said Liverpool City Council became the “custodians” of the sculpture when LADT folded. Since its arrival, it has had various homes in the city, including outside ships chandlers JP Lamb, on The Strand, before it was demol-ished for redevelopment. It currently stands guard outside the Liverpool John Moores University learning resource centre in Tithebarn Street. Mr McEntegart said: “I have sent a letter to the Culture Company to say ‘do you know you don’t own it?’ “The Superlambanana has become a popular and iconic sculpture synonymous with Liverpool. “We have seen how much the people love it and the good feeling it gives to locals and tourists. “To take it out of the city would be like removing the Mona Lisa from the Louvre. “It belongs in the city and on a wider scale who knows what effect it may have on the local economy if it were to go. Taro would love it to stay in Liverpool.” But he said that his job was to secure a fair price for the work for his client. “We are hoping Liverpool City Council will have the same foresight as Sefton Council who saw the benefit of buying art for the public and for tourism reward with the Gormley statues.” The statues known as the Iron Men on Crosby beach cost more than £1m, but last night Mr McEntegart said the Superlambanana was yet to be valued. But he added: “The Superlambanana is arguably far more important to the region than Gormley’s work.” | 
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