'Waste of money': UK university under fire over full-size Greta Thunberg sculpture
A British university has sparked outrage after spending more than $40,000 on a full-size sculpture of activist Greta Thunberg.
Winchester University in Hampshire, England, is expected to unveil the commissioned statue of the 18-year-old Swedish environmental activist later this month.
The artwork is being created by artist Christine Charlesworth.
RELATED: Greta Thunberg reflects on fame and 'haters' as she turns 18
The sculpture has many locals questioning the connection between the Swedish activist and the British town. Christine Charlesworth/Facebook
"Greta Thunberg is now cast in bronze and I will visit the foundry next week to see patination – Winchester want her green," Charlesworth said in a post to Facebook.
"Setting on site on 25th and unveiling on 30 March."
Despite the university and Charlesworth's enthusiasm, many Hampshire locals have taken issue with the work.
Greta Thunberg is getting her very own statue at a UK university. Instagram
"To be fair Greta probably is inspirational to many of the current generation of students and given that it's at the university I don't think there is a particular reason for a strong Winchester connection," Hampshire Chronicle reader Mark Robinson said.
"Usually statues are erected to reflect a long-lasting legacy and that will be the test with this one."
RELATED: Greta Thunberg turns the tables on Trump in farewell tweet: 'A very happy old man!'
Michelle Coombs said she believed the sculpture was "very good" but also questioned the connection with the local area.
Christine Charlesworth's sculpture of Greta. Christine Charlesworth/Facebook
Simon Dixon was a little more direct. "What total waste of money," he wrote in a post to Hampshire Chronicle's Facebook page.
Meanwhile, Anne Goodchild suggested "Kev the guy who sells the homeless paper" in the high school was a more appropriate "Winchester icon".
Thunberg reached global acclaim at 15 after launching her "school strike" on the steps of Sweden's parliament, promoting climate action as the world combats an ongoing environmental disaster.
