WELLESLEY, Mass. — A lifelike sculpture of a man sleepwalking in nothing but his underwear has made some Wellesley College students uncomfortable, but the president of the prestigious women’s school says that’s part of the intellectual process.
The sculpture, “Sleepwalker,” is part of an exhibit by sculptor Tony Matelli. It was placed at a busy area of campus Monday, a few days before the official opening of the exhibit, and prompted an online student petition to have it removed.
The sculpture is a “source of apprehension, fear, and triggering thoughts regarding sexual assault” for many, according to the petition, which had nearly 300 signees Wednesday.
A joint statement issued Wednesday by president H. Kim Bottomly and museum director Lisa Fischman implied that it was unlikely that the artwork would be removed.
“The very best works of art have the power to stimulate deeply personal emotions and to provoke unexpected new ideas, and this sculpture is no exception,” the statement said.
