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Protective measures around the Banksy mural
Photo: Aaron Chown / AP
A new mural by artist Banksy in London has been covered with plastic protection after being daubed with white paint. A wooden barrier will also be installed. The work of art has attracted large crowds and there is a need to protect the work of art and local residents from the impact of the large number of visitors, Islington Borough Council said.
The picture appeared a week and a half ago. The street artist Banksy, whose identity is unknown, announced his authorship with photos on his Instagram profile. The work is painted behind a tree and from the right angle it appears that the tree has leaves. You can also see a figure holding a sprayer in his hand and looking at the work.
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The clear plastic and timber frame was installed by the building's owner, an Islington Council spokesman said. Many residents expressed concern about the number of people who visited the work of art in front of their homes.
"To give people more security and privacy, and to protect the tree, we are installing a barrier that will have clear plastic panels." They would continue to monitor the situation and think about solutions for the future with the homeowner so that people can could continue to enjoy the work of art.
Due to their public accessibility, Banksy's works have often fallen victim to vandalism or creative interventions. Authorities have also already taken action against them: During the pandemic, the anonymous artist sprayed several pictures of sneezing rats on the London subway. In an accompanying video, he called for people to wear masks to protect against the coronavirus. The London transport company removed the images a short time later, citing their strict anti-graffiti regulations.
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