Banksy graffiti painted over by mistake
An artwork attributed to the Bristol street artist Banksy was mistakenly painted over by volunteers cleaning up graffiti.
The political piece in Glastonbury, said to be worth £5,000, was painted on a wall two years ago and shows an image of Paddington Bear captioned "Migration is not a crime".
But well-meaning volunteers covered over the precious image as part of the town council's drive to rid the area of graffiti, the authority admitted.
Julian Chatt, who owns the wall, claimed he had struck a deal to sell the piece for around £5,000 before disaster struck.
He said: "I'd spoken to the town council in the past and asked them not to paint over the artwork. Sure enough, the last few times the council have been out they didn't paint it over.
"But on Saturday morning, I came out of my house there was this chemical smell and when I turned the corner Paddington was gone."
No one had asked him for permission to paint the wall, he said, adding that his insurance company is examining whether the painting is covered. He said he had also reported it to police.
Glastonbury Town Council said today the image was just one of several in the region said to be by Banksy, but accepted the picture had painted over "in error".
A spokeswoman said today: "If we made a mistake we'll hold our hands up and say sorry. He's been advised he can make a claim against the council, which he hasn't done yet.
"Several places were repainted as part of our anti-graffiti drive. A wall with a picture of Paddington bear on it was painted over behind his property. We are looking to remove the layer of paint and having the conservators look at it.
"There are several of them – you have to make up your mind if it is a Banksy or not."
In November 2007 a Banksy mural in Glastonbury, created shortly before the festival, was also painted over.
Graffiti art by Banksy, who began his career in Bristol, now fetches hundreds of thousands of pounds, attracting the eye of celebrities like Brad Pitt.
A new record price was set in April 2007 when Space Girl and Bird fetched £288,000.
9 Comments
by LLB, Brizla
Monday, May 04 2009, 9:30AM
“It's not a Banksy!
It's not worth £5,000!
but even so what a joke! Why buff stuff if people don't want u too.
I never personally rated Banksy but fairplay to him for creating this confusion among councillors "Is it alright to clean this one off?"
LMAO
Is a Banksy Tag better than everyone else's?
I personally think the time has come to have A Council Graffiti Art Commitee that should judge each piece of graf/tagging before it is removed - possibly 'Graffiti Heritage' LOL
sort yerself's out...”
by selwyn, anywhere
Thursday, April 30 2009, 10:40PM
“Yet another town council painting over a work of art, just like the one in Bristol loast year. Whilst I agree some of this stuff is rubbish and just sheer vandalism, Banksy and his ilk are making political statements in Art form and I have often spent a happy afternoon when friends have visited showing them around Bristol and pointing out our 'Banksys'. Its what makwes our city individual and we should be proud of all Banksy's work and those of a similar standars. Surely a clever piece of artwork with a message is better than a blank wall??? He can do one on the side of my house any day!!!”
by Jeremy, Kingsood, Bristol
Thursday, April 30 2009, 10:31PM
“There are a few issues here - maybe Glastonbury Town Council can decide to paint over the mural if it is what local people want. Whether Banksy or not, they do have that right so I don't see why they should feel the need to grovel and apologise - couldn't have been that great could it? Anyway - there is one just like this at the bottom of the slip road if you leave the M32 heading out of the city and take the IKEA exit - on the wall beneath the elevated section. Maybe Bristol City Council could donate it to Glastonbury on a temporary basis!!”
by Alfred, Bristol
Thursday, April 30 2009, 9:42PM
“Steven we finally agree on something. Never mind Bansky lol”
by Will, Clifton, Bristol
Thursday, April 30 2009, 5:46PM
“Graffiti isn't art; it's criminal damage. Graffiti painters aren't artists; they're vandals. Banksy and his ilk should be arrested and prosecuted.”
by Art Lover, Bristol
Thursday, April 30 2009, 1:47PM
“What's the problem? All Banksy has to do is dig out his old stencils and respray.
Arty my a#*$”
by hms, WoT
Thursday, April 30 2009, 11:40AM
“There are numerous copies of this bit of graffiti in St Werberghs at the moment. The style is not all that similar to other known Banksy work, and does not feature his name. Personally I'd be very suspicious as to authenticity.”
by Steven, North Bristol
Thursday, April 30 2009, 11:01AM
“The real headline should be "Graffiti Cleaners Do Their Job".
Well done to Glastonbury Town Council for cleaning up this vandalism.”
by Chris, St. Paul's, Bristol
Thursday, April 30 2009, 10:50AM
“Sorry, who says it's a Banksy?
Non-specific, vague assertions by person or persons unknown do not a convincing provenance provide!”