Locals slam Coventry council over new £250,000 statue of African-American actor that looks like 'an android Flava Flav doing a Nazi salute'

 Disgruntled residents have compared a new £250,000 statue erected on a former Ikea building site to 'an android Flava Flav doing a Nazi salute'. 

The life-size steel sculpture was built in honour of the 19th century African-American Shakespearean actor Ira Frederick Aldridge - who wowed stages across Europe with his abolitionist roles.

The installation which was planned as a means of 'connecting with the history of the city, was placed on top of the roof of the former Ikea store in Coventry, which has been named the UK's City of Culture for 2021.

The controversial statue was unveiled this week after artist Favour Jonathan was crowned the winner of Sky Arts TV's seven-part series, Landmark which pitted sculptors against each other in a bid to see who could create a new national landmark.

But residents took to social media demanding it is taken down, saying its outstretched arm, which is holding a giant pocket watch, looks more like a famed American rapper 'performing a Nazi salute'.

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A controversial statue clutching a giant timepiece was unveiled this week on the site of the former Ikea building in Coventry, West Midlands

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But stunned residents have slammed the structure's actual design, instead comparing the statue to American rap icon Flava Flav (pictured in 2014)

The original inspiration for the steel sculpture came from actor Ira Frederick Aldrige - who became the first African-American to manage a British theatre after he was appointed the head of Coventry Theatre at the tender age of 20. 

Local Labour councillor David Welsh, who oversees arts and culture in the city, previously said he hoped the new artwork would eventually become a 'popular tourist attraction' in the city. 

But stunned residents have slammed the structure's actual design, instead comparing the statue to American rap icon Flava Flav.

William Jonathan Drayton Jr, 62, known by his stage name Flava Flav, co-founded the rap group Public Enemy in 1985 and was recognisable because of an oversized watch he would wear as a chain.

Writing on Facebook, Chris Girvin said: 'Why you put an android Flava Flav doing a Nazi salute on IKEA?'

Carl Hunter added: 'Global pandemic. Costs going up for everything. People losing their jobs.

'Council and income tax going up, and you waste £250,000 for a tiny naff looking statue on an empty building.'

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The life-size steel sculpture was built in honour of the 19th century African-American Shakespearean actor Ira Frederick Aldridge - who wowed stages across Europe with his abolitionist roles

Meanwhile Kyle Armour wrote: '£250,000 for something that looks like it's out of B&M. Scrap men will be onto that by the weekend.'

Others writing online revealed they had a more positive first impression of the statue.

Jim Clifford wrote: 'Fabulous idea, it’s another example of the types investment going into Coventry for the next generation. Art is such an important and undervalued part of everyday life.

'It’s great the a large organisation like Sky feels Coventry is worth showcasing.'

Ikea operated from the iconic store in Coventry from 2007 but closed the branch last year blaming 'lazy shoppers'.

Coventry City Council had agreed to turn the blue-and-yellow building into a national Collections Centre showcasing art and heritage.