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'Monty Python In Suburbia': Graveyard Garden Owner Defends Chilling Display

By Jenny Wotherspoon and Joshua Shrimpton Dean - 21st October 2013

 

The creator of a tombstone-filled front garden in Gateshead is defending his controversial display as a 'work of modern art'.

 

Mark McGovern, a 49-year-old orginally from Bensham, spent thousands of pounds on six tombstones inscribed with horror film quotes to decorate his driveway.

 

The garden installation caused controversy among neighbours, who told Sky Tyne and Wear they thought the tombstones were "disgusting" and "awful".

 

But creator Mr McGovern, a horror film and comic book fanatic, described it as a "black-humoured comment on the way we live today".

 

He said: "It's like, what if Monty Python came to a typical suburban street, what would they do for the gardens, maybe put in headstones and a graveyard. It's a satirical swipe at the conformity of society.

 

"Everybody's gardens are the same, you have to go far to find a creative garden, and I just felt I really wanted to express myself and bring art into the community.

 

"Gateshead Council are always encouraging art in public spaces and it's brought about a kind of cool in the area, I just wanted to bring art to my home.

 

"It has cost thousands of pounds, I mean I've got hole in my clothes, a leak in my kitchen, but I've cut back, I can live on very little and this was important to me.

 

Sky Tyne and Wear's attempts to track down the elusive Mr McGovern prior to this interview

 

"I know some of the neighbours dislike it. I'm aware that Carol at number 6 thinks the headstone with a 'C?' on it is about her. I could be cheeky and say I wouldn't spend a penny on Carol, but no it's nothing to do with her.

 

"I've got a best friend whose name begins with C, and I hope he lives a long happy life. My dad's name began with C, he's passed away so perhaps in a subconcious way it's me dealing with some of my fears.

 

"But the real, concious reason is because if you walk right up to it, you'll see it is a reflective surface, and what you "C" is actually yourself.

 

Read more and see the video of the interview @ http://tyneandwear.sky.com/news/arti...bstone-display

 

 

 

 

 

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