A Banksy artwork that appeared in south-east England has been dismantled by the local council hours after the elusive artist claimed the piece as his.
Key points:
- Banksy titled the new artwork Valentine’s Day Mascara on his website
- Many comments on the Instagram post suggest he is highlighting violence against women
- Council officers said the freezer had been removed on the grounds of safety as it was on public land
The British street artist’s new mural shows a 1950s housewife with a swollen eye and a missing tooth apparently putting a man in an abandoned chest freezer.
The artwork, which Banksy titled Valentine’s Day Mascara on his website, appeared in the seaside town of Margate on Sunday night.
The artwork also featured rubbish on the ground, including a broken plastic chair and an empty beer bottle.
He also published the work on his Instagram on Valentine’s Day morning.
Many of the comments suggest he is highlighting violence against women.
Local saw a van arrive and cover area with a tarpaulin
Local resident Lee Hilton said he loved art and was happy it had appeared.
“I always thought maybe someone might put a mural on the wall, but I was never expecting a Banksy,” he said.
Mr Hilton said he saw a van arrive on Sunday night and cover the area with a tarpaulin.
When he woke up on Monday, the mural was there.
But he did not catch a glimpse of the renowned graffiti artist and said even if he had, he would not have wanted to give his identity away.
Freezer removed and put in storage
Artist Pete Brown was painting his own version of the scene when the freezer, which was believed to have been part of the installation, was removed on Tuesday morning.
“A council truck turned up and they took away the freezer,” he said.
Thanet District Council said the graffiti was on a wall of a privately owned property, but the freezer had been removed by council operatives on the grounds of safety as it was on public land.
“The fridge freezer is now in storage and will be returned once it has been made safe to the public,” the council said.
“We will be contacting the owner of the property to discuss the options to preserve the artwork for the district.”
Brown, who was visiting Margate from Bath, said he had come to the resort to paint the sea, but after coming across the mural had spent his time painting a scene of a wall instead.
Who is Banksy?
Banksy has never confirmed his full identity.
He began his career spray-painting buildings in Bristol, England, and has become one of the world’s best-known artists.
He has earned worldwide acclaim for his witty, often satirical street art.
Banksy offers few clues about his work, which usually appears in public locations overnight, beyond a confirmation on social media.
Several of his works have sold for millions at auction — even a piece that shredded itself after it was sold.
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Reuters