To celebrate the Landmark Trust's 50th anniversary, five Antony Gormley statues have been installed at landmarks around the country, with the canals getting their very own sculpture at Lengthsman's Cottage.
Lengthsman's Cottage was personally chosen by Antony Gormley and the sculpture specially designed and created for the site. It will remain in place until May 2016.
Tim Eastop, producer of Arts on the Waterways programme at the Canal & River Trust, said: “We're delighted that Ned's Lock on the South Stratford Canal has been chosen by Antony and the Landmark Trust. It's an honour to celebrate the Landmark's Trust's 50th with them, as well as the history behind the Lengthsman's Cottage and the story of those who lived there and worked along the canal.
“We want to explore how water and art can inspire people, to help them reflect or dream. Our Arts on the Waterways programme aims to bring world class artworks and people to the water, and to have a Gormley work as part of that is simply brilliant. It's already proving really popular, and we hope even more people are able to come and see it during its stay on the canal.”