A VIBRANT pink pen could become the latest piece of public art to grace the streets of Oxford.

The sculpture could be placed outside the Blavatnik School of Government on Walton Street if planning permission is given.

The sculpture is designed by artist Sir Michael Craig-Martin, best known for a piece of conceptual art called An Oak Tree.

When the Blavatnik School was approved in 2013, one of the conditions was that it would commission a piece of public art in the future.

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A spokeswoman for the school said: "We’re delighted that the choice fell on Sir Michael Craig-Martin – he is already known in Oxford for his mural at the JR Children’s Hospital and we hope his new installation will further contribute to the city’s environment and community."

The design is dividing the opinion of members of the public who have written to comment on the plans.

Oxford Mail:

Picture: Blavatnik School

Barnaby Lenon of St John Street wrote to Oxford City Council to say 'the open-work design is instantly vulnerable to misuse and vandalism' and that he was worried people might climb on it.

Others thought that university students at the school would be unlikely to use a pen as most of their work was done with computers.

But Mary Pegler of Plantation Road said the design was 'wonderfully clear', and added the choice of a fountain pen sculpture was 'a witty one, along with its touch of nostalgia'.

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A planning statement described how Sir Michael settled on the fountain pen design, which was described as having 'a particular resonance with the ethos of the school and the aesthetics of the building'.

In the document, words attributed to Sir Michael read: "I recently needed to sign some important papers. I was not surprised when the solicitor offered me a fountain pen for signing.

"Such a pen seems to me to represent seriousness of occasion and intent, a sense of continuity (like Oxford itself) as relevant in the present as in the past.

"The piece is very striking as it is balanced on a single point."

Planning reference: 20/01264/FUL