ncandescent: artist Philip Vaughan’s fury after Hayward Gallery switches off his Neon Tower light sculpture

Gallery criticised over decision not to restore Neon Tower to London skyline

The artist behind one of London’s landmark sculptures has launched a
blistering attack on the

director of the Hayward Gallery – accusing him
of allowing the work to be destroyed.

Philip Vaughan’s Neon Tower, a 45ft (14m) light sculpture that
changes colour according to the

strength and direction of the wind, was a
prominent fixture on the capital’s skyline from 1972

until 2008, when
it was taken down from the roof of the South Bank gallery for
renovation.

But now Vaughan has accused the gallery’s executives
of going back on plans to restore and

return the work to its previous
perch – and singled out the American director Ralph Rugoff for
particular criticism.

Philip Vaughan has accused the Hayward gallery’s executives of going back on plans to restore his Neon Tower work, right

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