Entertainment · Books & Arts · 3 hrs ago
Oudewater sculpture named the Netherlands’ ugliest artwork
Radio 538 named the Paard van Oudewater the Netherlands’ ugliest artwork after a public vote.
The sculpture is in Oudewater, a town in the Netherlands, and won with nearly a third of the votes among nine nominees.
Artist Ingrid Mol created it as part of a series of four works about the town’s history, including its struggle against the Spanish.
It was installed near a scouting club in 2011, then moved after objections, including concerns that it frightened children.
Because public subsidy paid for it, the sculpture had to remain in place for at least ten years.
The town placed a hedge around it to hide it from view, and weeds later covered it.
The vote prompted fresh attention and a cleanup, while some residents say the work has a story and has restarted conversation about art.
The Paard van Oudewater sculpture was named the Netherlands’ ugliest public artwork in a Radio 538 audience vote.
It won with almost a third of the votes, ahead of eight other nominated artworks.
The sculpture, by artist Ingrid Mol, depicts a horse with a motor inside and is located on Kabelslag in Oudewater.
It was installed in 2011 and moved after protests from a local scouting club.
Residents also objected to the sculpture, but it had to remain in place for at least ten years because it was paid for with subsidy money.
- Who
- The Paard van Oudewater sculpture, by Ingrid Mol, won the title. Radio 538 ran the vote.
- What
- It was named the Netherlands’ ugliest public artwork.
- When
- 16 October 2026.
- Where
- On Kabelslag in Oudewater, the Netherlands.
- Why
- It received almost a third of the votes in Radio 538’s contest.
Supporters and critics of the Paard van Oudewater
Sculpture’s appearance
Supporters and critics of the Paard van Oudewater
Some passersby dislike it, with one calling it a horse upside down with a motor inside.
Resident Els Spek says it is an artwork with a story and that people who look at modern art may recognise this.
Keeping the sculpture
Supporters and critics of the Paard van Oudewater
Some local residents wanted it removed, saying it could frighten children.
The sculpture was part of a four-work series about the city’s history and had to remain for at least ten years because it was paid for with subsidy money.
Ingrid Mol’s sculpture was installed near the scouting club in Oudewater.
The sculpture was moved to its current location on Kabelslag.
Radio 538 named the sculpture the Netherlands’ ugliest public artwork after it won almost a third of the votes.
- Winning artwork
- The Paard van Oudewater
- Artist
- Ingrid Mol
- Vote share
- Almost a third of votes
- Candidates
- 9 artworks
- Location
- Kabelslag, Oudewater
3 sources
What people are saying
met bijna een derde van de stemmen
Het is een paard op zijn kop met een motor erin
Ik vind het echt een kunstwerk met een verhaal.