@davidellisfan
A Banksy painting depicting a crowbar-wielding youngster painted behind a real, half-demolished sandcastle and a slab of concrete has been pulled out of the wall due to its value, in something of a self-fulfilling prophecy. Workmen began removing the painting from the disused electrical shop in Lowestoft, Suffolk, England, months after the elusive street artist revealed that it was his own work. On London Road North, laborers were observed excavating the painted piece of the wall on Sunday.
According to a statement from the East Suffolk Council, the landlord stated that the artwork was being removed intentionally and consensually by the property owner. According to the BBC, the authorities ordered the painted piece of the wall covered with a plastic screen before the landlord had it excavated. "They put a lintel in yesterday and cut the wall above it - now they've [strengthened] both sides with wood and framing," said cab driver Rob Hook, who observed the deconstruction. "Now they're cutting the wall around it... the entire stretch of wall with the mural on it," says the narrator.
According to a statement from the East Suffolk Council, the landlord stated that the artwork was being removed intentionally and consensually by the property owner. According to the BBC, the authorities ordered the painted piece of the wall covered with a plastic screen before the landlord had it excavated. "They put a lintel in yesterday and cut the wall above it - now they've strengthened both sides with wood and framing," said cab driver Rob Hook, who observed the deconstruction. "Now they're cutting the wall around it... the entire stretch of wall with the mural on it," says the narrator. Locals are dissatisfied with the art's move to an as-yet-unidentified place. "It's fantastic if it's being taken down to be presented in a more prominent location within the town in an artistic setting," Easterly Artists Chairman Miles Barry told the BBC. "If it's because the owner realized that having it in place adds £200,000 to the property's worth, but having it up for auction... it might potentially bring a lot more — then that's a different case... It's a pity — it's not just about the artwork on the wall... There's a societal remark regarding resources there."
Brandon Eames, a local, described the removal as "disrespectful." "Now probably being shipped out to be auctioned off... This is a disaster. He said, "Why to invest the money to safeguard it, then take it away?" The Banksy painting appears to have greatly increased the structure's perceived value: the shop was previously listed for $402,000 but was removed from the market and re-listed for $671,000 after Banksy revealed he was responsible for the graffiti on its side.
This isn't the only time a Banksy has been given the boot. Last week, it was reported that during filming the series "The Outlaws," actor Christopher Walken allegedly painted over a one-of-a-kind installation by the artist. Last month, Banksy's "Love is in the Bin," a painting cruelly shredded by the artist himself, was auctioned off at Sotheby's London for an equally astounding $25.4 million.
@davidellisfan
Jean Dubreil