Come Back Banksy And The Art Of Words
“WE take a tough line on removing graffiti because it creates a general atmosphere of neglect and social decay which in turn encourages crime.”
So says the Transport for London spokesman, reacting to the news that his champions of clean walls have just painted over a Banksy original.
Banksy is the street artist whose works, as the Mail says, fetch five figures and more at sale.
His picture was of John Travolta and Samuel L Jackson in Pulp Fiction mode holding bananas in a menacing manner.
The image has been one of the few bright spots near Old Street station in central London, a dour, grimy and altogether unwashed spot that presses its filthy nose up against the neighbouring bright glass and neat steel lines of the City.
Now Old Street is unappealing and devoid of humour and light. Congratulations TFL on bringing the misery of the Tube up to street level. Job done.
Says a fan: “This piece was the most iconic of Banksy’s work. It’s inexcusable that it’s been ruined.”
And this is not the first time this has occurred – not the first time this year.
The Mail fails to mention that back in March 2007, Bristol’s Neighbourhood Renewal Team was told to remove graffiti. So the Banksy original, painted on the side of garages in the artist’s native Bristol, was covered with a coat of thick black paint.
Someone has sprayed the words “Wot no Banksy?” over the paint. The painted-over London work now features the line “Come back”.
Words that may or may not be art?
Posted: 20th, April 2007 | In: Tabloids Comment (1) | TrackBack | Permalink
