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Topline
A mural by the elusive British street artist Banksy that was spray painted overnight on a brick wall in Nottingham, England in October was pulled early Wednesday morning to be sold against the wishes of the artist and many local residents, according to media reports.
A work of art painted by Banksy on the side of a property in Rothesay Avenue and Ilkeston Road in … [+]
PA Images via Getty Images
Highlights
It was bought by John Brandler, a gallery owner who told the BBC that he paid “a six-figure sum” for the mural, and was partly motivated to buy it to protect it from damage, telling the diffuser plastic cover installed by Nottingham City Council would only trap moisture in the wall.
However, a spokesperson for the Nottingham Project, a local town revitalization group, said Banksy’s team told them the artist wanted the mural to stay around the corner where he had it. painted: ‘We think it’s a great shame that Nottingham lost it’s Banksy and we hope that doesn’t prevent the artist from coming back to the city in the future,’ the spokesperson said at the BBC.
The owners of the building who sold the piece told the local newspaper The Nottingham Post that they had hoped to donate the Banksy mural to charities or another organization, but were unable to find a group that would accept the artwork.
Instead, they chose to sell the Banksy and promised to donate the proceeds, according to the newspaper.
Residents were disappointed with the removal of the mural, which had become a source of pride, with Alex Mitchell-Messam telling the BBC: “It’s sad to see him go. I think it should stay in the area where it was installed. Banksy traveled to Nottingham, he chose to place this work here when he could have chosen anywhere.
Crucial quote
“It was great for the city. He arrived in the middle of [coronavirus] when we were all going through a really terrible time, and there was just that shining moment of fun, joy and delight, ”said Simon Bristow, of the Nottingham Project The Guardian. “But now, unfortunately, it’s now in someone else’s hands.
Key context
The mural of the little girl hula hoop with a bicycle tire appeared on Rothesay Avenue accompanied by a Raleigh-branded bicycle with a warped wheel chained to a nearby pole. The book seemed to be a reference to Notthingham’s industrial past. The street corner where Banksy set up the work is near Raleigh Street, where the bicycle maker’s first store opened in 1885, and in an area where many of the city’s old factories were located. Visitors lined up to get a glimpse of the Banksy mural, and locals said they were delighted to see Nottingham attracting positive attention.
Further reading
Banksy: hula-hoop girl kidnapped and sold for ‘six figures’ (BBC)
Nottingham Walls owners Banksy denounce decision to remove famous artwork (The Nottingham Post)
‘It’s a lack of respect’: bike that is part of Banksy’s latest work goes missing (Forbes)
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