Anger as new Banksy becomes a planksy
THE new owners of a house which features the latest Banksy have been criticised by locals – for boarding it up so it can’t be seen.
Large wooden planks and scaffolding have encased the recently discovered Aachoo! mural.
It is not known if the boards have been up in a bid to protect it – or possibly remove it.
Banksy’s work on the side of the home on the famously steep Vale Street in Bristol caused a stir in December as the house was due to be sold.
There were rumours the artwork meant the sale would not go through and the sellers would pull out as the art could add a fortune to the house value.
But locals say a new family has moved in – and on Tuesday the piece was completely covered by scaffolding board, after already having a Perspex screen installed last week.
The piece is still situated on the wall but can no longer be seen from the road.
In cold weather, the Perspex covering the piece would completely steam up, disappointing visitors coming to see it during their daily exercise sessions.
Other Banksy murals across the world have been removed from walls to be sold at auction, but it is unknown if that is the plan for Aachoo!
One man who lives nearby, who did not want to give his name, told bristol247: “I know local residents are really disappointed.
“The original piece looked great and brought a lot of new people to this part of Totterdown. It brought some joy to people at what is a pretty awful time.
“Now it just looks sad and meanspirited. Visitors traipse up the hill and laugh at it. Surely the original Perspex screen and a camera were enough.” Before the appearance of Aachoo!, Banksy’s latest piece in his home town was painted as a Valentine’s Day treat in 2020.
Located on Marsh Lane in Barton Hill, that piece was also swiftly boarded up but not before being defaced. More than a year later, the stencil of a girl with a catapult remains boarded up with the roses covered by Perspex.