Council reaches agreement on location for famous artwork

In order to keep a city’s famous work of art in its place, a city government had to obtain special permission.

Due to the ownership of the land, Liverpool City Council had to enter into special arrangements with Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) to maintain Superlambanana for a further three years.

Since its construction in 1998, the bright yellow installation has become a landmark of Liverpool.

The sculpture, which combines two of the city’s most common cargoes during trading times, a banana and a lamb, was initially transported from place to place.

New conditions

The Superlambanana was first envisioned before the turn of the century as part of an initiative to create an “arts corridor” through the north of England.

It was previously located in Williamson Square and Wapping in the city, but found a permanent home in Tithebarn Street.

It was replaced by a replica in 2019 after more than 20 years of wear and tear.

The artwork by Japanese artist Taro Chiezo was unveiled at the reopening of the Tate Gallery at Albert Dock.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said the city council and the developer of the university’s learning resource centre had agreed on terms for the Superlambanana to remain after an earlier agreement expired nearly five years ago.

The new conditions ensure that the artwork will remain on the outskirts of the city center until at least December 2027.

The Council is required to pay to LJMU fees in excess of £1,200 in addition to legal and expert fees in connection with the grant of this licence.

A report on the council officials’ decision said there were no further direct financial implications for the authority.

However, it said there could be “potential future costs upon termination or expiry of the agreement as the Council is required under the terms of the licence to restore the property following removal of the SLB replica”.

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