Mick Hartley

Jeff Koons' Coloring Book, in the courtyard of the Royal Academy:

Reflecting the almost symmetrical architecture of its surroundings, the sculpture has an intriguing quality of seeming to be transparent from certain angles.

The piece reflects Koons interest in society’s obsession with infantilism and youth….

It's always been that way for sculptors, hasn't it? – ever ready with an ironic comment on contemporary mores. "The equestrian statue of Napoleon in the town square reflects my interest in society's obsession with militarism and male power. Well, that and the commission fee…". And of course we mustn't forget David, Michelangelo's devastating critique of the cult of the homoerotic in biblical iconography.

Or it could be that Koons' work is infantile because, well, that's the way he is. And he's done very well out of it.

Further research reveals the history of this piece:

Coloring Book (1997-2005) was inspired by a page from a Winnie The Pooh coloring book which contains Pooh’s friend Piglet.  Koons took a marker to the coloring book and colored-in various zones, then removing the image of Piglet front the composition.  The result is an 18-foot sculpture, featuring pastel colors, which, even in an abstract form, is very reminiscent of Pooh’s companion. 

I think even the Royal Academy might have baulked at a statue of Piglet out front. A statue about the absence of Piglet, though…