Outdoor sculptures often serve as cultural landmarks, but some spark intense debates due to their provocative themes or unconventional designs. Among the most controversial is Maurizio Cattelan's "Comedian" (2019), a banana duct-taped to a wall, which questioned the value of modern art. Another polarizing piece is Richard Serra's "Tilted Arc" (1981), a massive steel wall in New York that was eventually removed after public outcry.

The "Fearless Girl" statue (2017) by Kristen Visbal, facing Wall Street's Charging Bull, ignited discussions about feminism and corporate symbolism. Meanwhile, Marc Quinn's "Alison Lapper Pregnant" (2005), depicting a disabled woman, challenged traditional notions of beauty in public spaces.

Perhaps the most infamous is "Piss Christ" (1987) by Andres Serrano, a photograph of a crucifix submerged in urine, which caused global outrage. These sculptures prove that art's power lies not just in aesthetics, but in its ability to provoke, challenge, and sometimes divide audiences worldwide.