A resident in Wales faces an unexpected obstacle in trying to sell his mother’s home due to what he perceives as an ‘art monstrosity’ in the neighbour’s garden. John Kirby, the son trying to sell his mother’s two-bedroom semi-detached house, claims that all potential buyers have been put off by the unconventional sculptures created by artist Denis Carbonaro next door. Denis, known for his unique artworks, has been transforming his front and back garden with installations like a woolly mammoth, a Spanish galleon in a tree, a spider, and more recently, items like shopping trolleys and prams.
John, aged 61, expressed his frustration at how Denis’ artworks have negatively impacted the sale of his mother’s house, which is essential for covering her care fees. Despite the initial novelty and admiration for Denis’ earlier sculptures, John now describes the current state of the neighbour’s garden as an ‘eyesore’ and ‘fly-tipping’, causing potential buyers to back out due to the ‘monstrosity’ next door.
In response, Denis defended his work as part of a ‘tourist attraction’ at The Bark Park and explained that his latest installations serve as a protest against the lack of financial support for his art. He calls his campaign “Wows Don’t Grow on Trees, Garbage and Clutter Do” and sees the objects in his garden as symbolic representations in response to perceived violations of his privacy and intellectual property.
John shared the timeline of the neighbour’s artistic evolution, from the initial sculptures in 2015 to the current state of clutter and disarray in the garden. He emphasised the urgency of selling his mother’s house to fund her care, mentioning that despite positive feedback on the property itself, potential buyers are deterred by the situation next door. Despite John involving the council, he feels helpless as they have stated there is nothing they can do about the issue.
The ongoing conflict between John and Denis has put a strain on both families, with John highlighting the financial and emotional toll the situation has taken. Denis, on the other hand, maintains that his garden artworks have deeper meaning and are a form of artistic expression. The dispute between the two neighbours continues to escalate, affecting not only their personal lives but also the community’s perception of art and property values in the area.