Has Tracey Emin’s bird flown the coop?

Jul 2 2008 by Laura Sharpe, Liverpool Daily Post

British artist Tracey Emin's first piece of public art 'Roman Standard' bird on a pole outside the Oratory by Liverpool's Anglican catherdral is missing _320

FEARS were rising last night that a popular artwork commissioned for Liverpool’s Capital of Culture year has been stolen.

The bird that proudly sits on Tracey Emin’s bronze pole outside the Anglican Cathedral has disappeared, much to the mystery of visitors.

Standing proud on a four-metre pole outside the Oratory on Upper Duke Street, the bird appears to have flown the nest.

Bemused visitors to the £60,000 artwork entitled Roman Standard – more commonly known as “bird on a pole” – have been poking their heads through the iron railings, straining to find the tiny bird.

Staff at the Anglican Cathedral have been taking numerous calls from concerned visitors asking what has happened since the bird’s disappearance at the end of last week.

Art fans turned detective have come up with two conclusions: either the bird has been removed for cleaning or restoration or has been stolen, most likely at night.

Concerned cathedral staff contacted Merseyside Police this week, but as the artwork is the property of Tracey Emin, no theft can be officially reported.