Modern art is a convenient term to justify puerile visual imposition and the exercise of crass egomania.

Why does Oxford have to pander to this with all the arty nonsense about the latest Antony Gormley joke installation – the Broad Street ironman statue?

Lord Mayor Susanna Pressel says she “cannot imagine anyone complaining about it”.

This, if true, speaks volumes.

The problem cannot be explained more clearly than by revisiting the story of the Emperor’s New Clothes – that if you cannot see what a superlatively wonderful piece of work this iron corpse is, you must be a philistine.

Gormley refuses to give (or cannot give) an explanation of the meaning of this supremely ugly thing, which is no surprise.

It has no meaning. It represents meaninglessness itself, along with vanity, self-satisfaction and the complete failure of Oxford City Council and Exeter College’s judgement.

As an engineer, I am mystified that this simple casting could be valued at more than £250,000. There are still foundries within easy reach, which would knock you out 50 at £200 each. The cost of a pattern is more or less zero – they could use anyone.

But, of course, it’s the creativity we pay for. It’s total bunkum! And it’s not even unique – there are dozens of the blighters.

Come on, silent majority, let’s show them we are not all intimidated by this rubbish.

ALAN BOURNE, Steventon Road, Drayton, Abingdon