80 giant Gromit statues unveiled in Bristol, England

BRISTOL, England, June 29 (UPI) -- "Wallace & Gromit" creator Nick Park said he delivered 80 large Gromit sculptures to Bristol, England, where they will take up residence for 10 weeks.

The sculptures are part of a 10-week exhibition that opens Monday, The Independent reported Friday.

The Gromit sculptures, which will be placed in key locations throughout the city, were designed by a variety of famous names, including One Direction's Zayn Malik, Quentin Blake and Pixar Studios, the newspaper said.

Park kicked off the installation of the exhibit by driving a steam train full of the sculptures into the Bristol.

"Driving a steam train full of Gromits into the city was completely surreal -- the character has lived in my head for so many years it's really extraordinary seeing him so huge and re-imagined in so many different ways. I can't wait to see them popping up all over the city," he said.

Park is a four-time Academy Award winner, with an Animated Feature Film Oscar for "Wallace & Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit," and three Oscars for animated shorts, including two Wallace & Gromit films.