Artist causes a stir with pictures of Euro heroes
AN anonymous artist who has been dubbed the “Welsh Bansky” is causing a stir in the Rhondda after paintings of Wales’ Euro 2016 heroes started appearing on the walls of a derelict nightclub in Porth.
The former Apollo club in the Valleys town hit the headlines in 2014 after an estimated £1m worth of cannabis was found growing on three floors of the landmark building.
Now, the walls outside the former nightspot have become an impromptu gallery to exhibit the skills of the mystery artist, whose paintings have appeared sporadically during Wales’ incredible European Championship campaign. The excellent works of art show Wales’ top scorer Gareth Bale in familiar poses including with familiar heartshaped fingers – and Welsh midfielder turned disco king Joe Ledley busting his trademark moves.
If somebody knows who the artist is, they are not letting on as the paintings, which have been universally praised for the artist’s skill in portraying the Welsh football stars, have become the talk of the internet with people trying to find out the identity of the artist.
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Jason Jones, from Porth, said: “Nobody is letting on who is doing them.
“There are people online who know who the artist is but are not saying.
“I like the fact it retains an air of mystery – and these paintings brighten up what otherwise is just a run down building.”
The Apollo, which was once a hugely popular nightclub on Aberhondda Road, Porth, was raided in 2014 when police discovered more than 1,000 cannabis plants.
The bar dance floors areas and inside the building were found to be vast growing spaces converted solely for the use of cannabis production.
The first floor was used as a nursery for newlypotted plants and the ground and second floor was being used for plants at mid to late stages of growth.
Mature plants discovered on the top floor were ready for harvest and officers said within a matter of weeks, or even days, they would have been bound for Rhondda’s streets.
Two Albanian men were subsequently jailed after being smuggled into the country on a lorry to look after the £1m valleys cannabis factory.