Art / News
Artist removes ‘lovelocks’ from Pero’s Bridge to create new artwork
Matt Dart taught himself to pick locks before removing dozens of the so-called ‘lovelocks’ from Pero’s Bridge.
The padlocks are placed on the bridge over the Floating Harbour by smitten couples, some of who then throw the key into the water below.
Dart used the metal tokens of affection within a piece called Lots of Love.
is needed now More than ever
In a blog post, the artist wrote that “it only took an afternoon to remove a large number of people’s romantic sentiments”.
He said: “The resulting objects hold cultural value to some. My intervention aims to interfere with this narrative and provoke a response. Responses have included being called cruel and evil.”

Lots of Love by Matt Dart
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read more:
- Rees pledges to keep ‘iconic’ lovelocks
- ‘The lovelocks on Pero’s Bridge are an insult to Pero’s memory’
- The untold history of Pero’s Bridge
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