This week art has been the main topic around Tower Hamlets as the council proposes to sell off the famous Henry Moore sculpture to meet funding gaps.

Danny Boyle is the latest celebrity to get involved and put his name to the campaign and he wrote an open letter, along with the director of the Tate, explaining why it shouldn’t go ahead.

The bronze sculpture is set to be sold by the council after “unprecedented” budget cuts leaving the area short of money.

But the question is – does the council have the right to sell off this famous artwork to create some extra cash? It’s expected to bank around £20 million and was bought for £6,000 in 1960.

The sculpture was sold not for profit in the first place but because Moore knew it would remain on public display in the area and on the understanding it might enrich the lives of those living in a socially deprived area.

Tower Hamlets mayor Lutfur Rahman, said in October “It is with great regret that I take this decision but we are faced with a stark choice in these times of recession.”

Image: Londonist