An artist’s tribute sculpture honouring a beloved local cat has been denied placement at a Tesco supermarket in Stowmarket.
Sharon Kulesa created the artwork in memory of Oscar, a popular feline known for his regular visits to the Cedars Link Road store, after the cat was recently put down.
The sculpture was initially placed in the store’s foyer, but staff quickly informed Kulesa it could not remain there.
“I felt that because such a much loved icon of Stowmarket had passed away it seemed only natural that I do something in honour of Oscar the cat,” Kulesa said.
The cat was a regular visitor to the Cedars Link Road store
INSTANT STREET VIEW
Oscar had become a local celebrity, known for bringing smiles to customers and staff at the Tesco store.
The artist spent two days crafting the sculpture using newspaper, tinfoil, masking tape and paint.
“I loved him as well – I love cats. I thought why don’t I make a sculpture and then put him up in Tesco for everyone to honour and pay tribute,” Kulesa explained.
“This cat was like a celebrity in his own right, and when celebrities die people like to honour them and make tributes for them.”
Artist Sharon Kulesa made a sculpture of Oscar the cat in so that he could be permanently remembered
SHARON KULESA
Store staff informed Kulesa that no more tributes to Oscar would be permitted, citing it would be “unfair to previous employees that had passed away” who weren’t given similar recognition.
Wayne Leech, store manager at Tesco Stowmarket, said: “The team at Stowmarket Superstore were saddened by the passing of Oscar the cat, who was a regular visitor to store and would help put a smile on the faces of colleagues and customers alike.”
The supermarket confirmed they could not accommodate a permanent statue.
“The fact it was a hard no was just a bit disappointing,” Kulesa said.
Following the rejection, Ms Kulesa plans to display the sculpture on the fence at her home alongside her other artistic creations.
She said the artwork will be placed there “for the people of Stowmarket to enjoy”.
Despite not accepting the sculpture, Tesco has made a donation to a local cat charity in Oscar’s memory.
