A bungling erased a famous piece of work by street artist Banksy – after mistaking it for graffiti, it has emerged.
The ‘Gorilla in a Pink Mask’ stencil on the wall of a former social club had been a familiar landmark in Eastville, Bristol – Banksy’s home city – for more than 10 years.
It depicted a large hairy gorilla holding up a pink eye mask to his face.
But the iconic picture, on Bristol’s Fishponds Road, was whitewashed after the building was turned into a Muslim cultural centre.
Saeed Ahmed, owner of the cultural centre, said he assumed it was a regular piece of graffiti and confirmed he had it painted over the Banksy.
Mr Ahmed, who claimed never to have heard of the famous artist, said: ”I thought it was worthless.
”I didn’t it know it was valuable. That’s why I painted over it. I really am sorry if people are upset.”
The owner said he was willing to explore options to see if the whitewash can be removed and the painting restored.
Neighbour Dean Meadows said: ”It is a big, big shame. It’s currently being shared around the world on Twitter, so hopefully Banksy will hear and replace it himself.”
Banksy began work as a graffiti artist in Bristol in the early 1990s, but has become a household name in the last decade – grossing £millions from his work.
The artist was nominated for an Oscar in 2010 for his film Exit Through the Gift Shop, but failed to turn up to the glittering ceremony.
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That’s the risk and reward of street art.
People need to leave our country alone – Our rules and religion. Im sorry but are seeing those muslims putting up posters saying it was an area for their laws I can not accept it.
Britain is a multicultural country and has been from the very start. Being British is no longer a nationality, but just merely describes where you come from. Besides you can’t blame ‘those Muslims’ just from one person’s mistake. What you’ve just stated, clearly shows that your unwilling to look outside the box. There more to a culture and a religion than just one person and one act.
idiot.
‘People need to leave our country alone’– not what this article is about.
Someone simply saw it for what it is – graffiti which lowers any area. Why does Banksy think it OK to deface any thing he likes. I love the way the “sheep” are up in arms. No Muslim argument at all.
And what is ‘Banksy’? An unemployed “artist” who defaces the country with his piffle.
Well done to Mr Ahmeed.
“Mistaking it for graffiti” indeed. Er, no – it is graffiti, whoever did it.