There Is A Terrifying Statue Of A Nearly Naked Man On Wellesley College's Campus

A new on-campus statue of a "nearly naked man" wearing nothing but his underwear has caused a stir at prestigious all-women Wellesley College, the Boston Globe reports.

The statue is part of a Wellesley art gallery show by the sculptor Tony Matelli and was placed on-campus by the college's Davis Museum staff. "We placed the Sleepwalker on the roadside just beyond the Davis to connect the exhibition - within the museum - to the campus world beyond," Davis Museum director Lisa Fischman wrote in an open letter.

Here's how Matelli's statue - titled "Sleepwalker" - appears on campus:

Students say that "Sleepwalker" is inappropriate for an all-women's campus, and may inadvertently trigger fears of sexual assault. More than 250 people have signed a petition to remove the statue, which reads:

According to the Globe, "Many students were seen making a casual beeline for the new addition on campus - some smiled and laughed as they got closer; others frowned and seemed apprehensive." Additionally, the Globe reports, "many drivers could be seen slamming on their brakes as they approached or passed the statue, craning their necks for a second look."

Seen from a few different angles, it's obvious why "Sleepwalker" could make Wellesley students and community members uncomfortable: