A PUBLIC SCULPTURE on the theme of “regeneration”? Dread word, although it could have been the, uhm, dreader “gentrification”.

Surely the symbol of regen has to be the hipster, the key species that made Hackney supposedly the heart of the universe and to which, as the years roll on, nobody admits to belonging?

Otherwise, what about a statue of a contemporary sleb? Idris Elba and Paloma Faith are just two of many famous Hackneyites.

Truth is, the judges, East London artist Patrick Hughes — publicity pic above — and London-based designer Mike Rundell, are probably looking for something broader-based for “the artistic centrepiece” of a proposed Regal Homes development, including “affordable housing” (yes, that meaningless term) and workspaces for the tech sector, in Hackney Road, Cremer Street and Gorsuch Street, near Hoxton station.

Anyway, come up with something no bigger at its base than 1.5 sq m and no higher than 2m and you could take the prize, £1,000.

Hamish Scott 140715

* Designs for the Hackney Road Sculpture Prize must be in by Friday 30 September 2015. Contact: ktozer@eastside.org.uk

* Emboldened underscored words in most cases indicate a hyperlink. If a link does not work, it is probably because the site to which the URL refers has not been maintained.