A street artist has launched an appeal to find whoever tore down his ‘street art’ he had installed on a wall – over a billboard-sized BANKSY.
The artist, known as Hart of London, destroyed a much-loved massive mural by the enigmatic street artist Banksy by putting boards on top of the £150,000 painting.
The Banksy, on the corner of East India Dock Road, in Poplar, East London, was destroyed when Hart drilled wooden slats over the top, from which he hung his inferior artwork.
In bold black lettering against a white background, the original Banksy read: “Sorry! The lifestyle you ordered is currently out of stock.”
While Banksy’s ‘Sorry!’ appeared in December 2011, Hart’s replacement was installed in time for Valentines’ Day earlier this year.
Hart’s print on wooden boards showed a tub of butter, with the slogan “Love is like butter? Spreadable.”
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But it seems Banksy fans have had the last laugh, after Hart put out an appeal to find his missing artwork after it was torn down at the end of April.
He said: “To me my artwork is priceless, but you could probably sell it for £400.
“I can’t believe someone tore it down – who would do such a thing?
“It’s theft, that’s what it is. My artwork took ages to put up and is much better than that Banksy.”
Hart has put flyers up in the area, and hopes someone will come forward with his missing boards.
Since Hart’s work was torn down, the Banksy underneath has been further vandalised, and now reads: “Sorry! Order been restored.”
The site is just opposite Canary Wharf, centre of London’s financial district.
A passer-by, who works for a major bank, said: “I walk this way every day and I really liked the Banksy.
“It made me feel fortunate that I’m happy with my lot in life, because I wouldn’t change a thing.
“That tub of margarine was simply dreadful. I’m glad it got torn down.
“Now if only someone would restore the original, my commute would go back to normal.”
Leave as is, reminder of a good Banksy and also a rubbish Hart.