Banksy: Artist behind Jubilee mural in Wood Green comes forward

A provocative mural that drew comparisons to Banksy has appeared on the facet of a Poundland shop in Wooden Eco-friendly, north London.

Regional inhabitants considered the piece, which helps make a statement about slavery ahead of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, could be as legitimate work by the illusive street artist.

Even so, James Straffon has now been unveiled as the area artist guiding the piece, which he claims is a homage to a previous perform by the avenue artist that appeared in the same place a decade back.

The artwork, which capabilities Union Flag bunting coming out of a sewing device on best of the base of the Bristol statue of slave trader Edward Colston – which was famously torn down by Black Lives Subject protesters – was noticed by passers-by on Wednesday.

Straffon informed The Indepedent: “I painted Ten Several years a Slave on Saturday 14 May possibly. This certain day was picked out by Banksy, in 2012, to area the operate Slave Labour on the exact exact slab of north London wall as an anarchic reaction to the then Diamond Jubilee celebrations, and the affiliated paraphernalia – in this case mass-developed bunting created in significantly japanese sweat outlets.

“At the time of the artwork’s removal, and subsequent inclusion in a Miami auction, I was closely associated with the temporary media frenzy, significantly as our group felt a personalized ‘violation’ above the artwork ‘theft’.”

He extra: “Ten Several years a Slave is my endeavor to restore some of the Banksy-impact to the first web-site, and supply the citizens who pass by a proxy beacon of endorsement.”

New mural in Wood Inexperienced looks identical to the get the job done of avenue artist Banksy is by artist James Straffon

(Becky Barnes)

Artwork seller and Banksy specialist John Brandler, of Brandler Galleries in Essex, told The Independent  that he believed the new mural in Wooden Environmentally friendly could be a authentic Banksy.

He reported: “This piece reminds me of early parts of his that he did that includes a fountain and a statue. That on the front cover of his unbiased T-shirt firm together with the flags from the Olympic piece from 10 a long time back the and the intricacy of the stencil work concerned I would strongly consider that this is done by Banksy. The references, the flags and the area show to me that this is Banksy.

“In a 12 months full of curiosity in anniversaries I imagine this is Banksy owning some pleasurable. I know that he is going to be doing work exceptionally challenging at Glastonbury and he’s performing a selection of parts for Glastonbury, which is my only induce for worry – time to do both equally. This is not a regular piece of road art by way of an unidentified artis,t this is a very advanced piece on a poignant area so I would assume it is by him.”

On the other hand, it has considering the fact that been proved to be a tribute.

In May well 2012, an additional artwork considered to be by Banksy – Slave Labour (Bunting Boy), showing a younger boy hunched more than a stitching equipment making Union Flag bunting – appeared on the pretty similar wall near Turnpike Lane station.

The former piece – Slave Labour (Bunting Boy) – which was attributed to Banksy – appeared on the similar wall 10 decades back

(Getty)

The chunk of wall, and Slave Labour artwork, disappeared in February 2013. Shortly immediately after, another artwork thought to be by Banksy, a rat holding a sign declaring “Why?”, appeared up coming to exactly where the artwork experienced been.

Slave Labour then popped up at an auction dwelling in Miami but was returned to the United kingdom pursuing a protest. It later on offered at auction in London for £750,000.

Straffon’s artwork in Wooden Inexperienced is future to the rat, which has been coated in a protecting situation.

It has appeared in the guide up to the Platinum Jubilee celebrations at the commence of June, as numerous campaigners get in touch with for the Royal Relatives to apologise for its historic inbound links to slavery.

Straffon added: “The function alone destinations the authentic sewing equipment atop the Colston plinth – a lately remodeled statue found in Bristol – which had lengthy-angered the city’s enlightened population with its connections to the slave trade.”

Kenneth Proto

Next Post

Art Hounds: Photographer's art reflects on parenthood and the pandemic

Thu May 19 , 2022
Beth Bergman, previous proprietor of the art shop Wet Paint, endorses a pay a visit to to the Form + Material Gallery in Minneapolis for the duration of its 15th anniversary exhibit.“You hardly ever know just what you’re heading to see,” states Bergman. The model and medium of art on […]
Art Hounds: Photographer’s art reflects on parenthood and the pandemic

You May Like