Is this the most disturbing artwork EVER made? Artist defends design branded 'tone deaf' and 'shocking' - but what do you think?

An artist has defended a statue he made for his picturesque hometown after furious residents and online critics branded it 'tone deaf' and 'shocking'.

Jason deCaires Taylor created a sculpture called The Alluvia to be placed in the River Stour in Canterbury, Kent.

Made from recycled glass, LEDs and marine stainless steel, Alluvia's lifelike figure glows in the dark and is inspired by Shakespeare's Ophelia from Hamlet.

But passersby began confusing the artwork for a dead body in the river.

As a result, people have branded the statue offensive, 'tone deaf' and 'downright disturbing' - and they want it gone.

Hundreds took to the comments of Canterbury City Council's official Facebook page to complain about the 'deeply upsetting' statue.

One user wrote: 'I can't be the only person who finds this deeply offensive. She looks like a drowned woman. How did the council not see the link to women as victims of crime or the sad fact so many drown off the Kent coast as refugees?'

A woman commented: 'I would legit think someone had drowned and call 999!'

A local resident said: 'Think it's very disrespectful for all the families and the loved ones who have lost due to being drowned or murdered. I think it will cause a lot of trauma and memory that people don't need to remind themselves of.'

Another added: 'As a nurse who years ago treated a poor victim who drowned in this river, I am offended and saddened by this.'

'Not the most appropriate piece of public art that I've seen,' a fifth added.

Others defended the sculpture. Someone wrote: 'What kind of world do we live in when anything that offends or 'triggers' someone, must be removed?'

One user pointed out: 'It's okay to be offended. Art is meant to get a reaction. It's not inappropriate. It's an art piece. It simply exists, and it's up to the viewer to decide what they think of it.

'And those who think it should be removed should remember that you are advocating censorship of free expression.'

The artist behind the divisive piece of art told Sky News that he was 'surprised' about the backlash.

'99 per cent of all the feedback that I've received has been very positive,' he said. 'But at the same time, I appreciate everybody takes something different from everything they see.

People could not help but draw comparisons between the artwork and the migrants drowning in the English channel.

But the artist confirmed there is 'no connection' between the statue and the ongoing migrant crisis taking place along the Kent coast - just 16 miles from where the statue lies in the River Stour.

According to government figures, at least 45 people have died while attempting to cross the Channel between January and September this year

Taylor said: 'It's an extremely tragic situation, and I don't think ignoring it is the solution. If [this work] can foster any kind of care and sympathy for that situation, then I think that's a good thing.'

Taylor is not one to shy away from incorporating a political message in his artwork.

In February this year he unveiled an art installation on the beach in Whitstable, Kent portraying a cold water swimmer, a child, a kite surfer, a lifeboat volunteer and a local fisherman advocating for the health of marine life.

The piece is called Sirens of Sewage.

Responding to those who criticised his more recent art Alluvia, Taylor said: 'Art should ask questions. They should make people think about things that should elicit emotions, that's really critical.'

Those offended by the piece and calling for its removal on Facebook hail from as far away as Orkney.

Taylor asked people to see Alluvia in person before forming an opinion.

Canterbury Commemoration Society commissioned the work and the charity's chair Stewart Ross told Sky News: 'Some people find it offensive and shocking, we have no objection to that. All public art is open to discussion'.