Banksy took a summer “spraycation” to the Suffolk and Norfolk coast where he spent a couple of days decorating various locations with his artwork.
Since Banksy’s visit people have travelled from far and wide to see to locations such as Great Yarmouth and East Suffolk to see his latest street art.
Both Great Yarmouth and East Suffolk are in the running along with eighteen over cities, including Wolverhampton and Newport in South Wales, for the next UK City of Culture title. Banksy’s work could have significantly improved their chances of securing the title. The winner is due to be announced in May 2022. Art festivals are a great way of improving and regenerating neglected areas, they draw in the public and they can even help bring in private investment. Hull was awarded the title in 2017, it is recorded they received £220m in investment in a report released by the University of Hull in 2018.
Banksy’s work included a rat relaxing under an umbrella in a deck chair holding a martini glass in Lowestoft. In Nicholas Everitt Park he painted three chidden in a boat, two with paper hats on towards the front of the boat and the other pouring water out with a bucket towards the back. Above the children are the words “We’re all in the same boat”.
Some of the other pieces he painted include a seagull attacking a skip on the side of a house, a couple dancing on the roof of a bus stop to a man playing the accordion and for one of the works he even deconstructed part of the pavement outside the old Lowestoft Electrical shop to paint a child making a sandcastle from the hole.
After remaining silent for a week, leaving the nation confused as to who was behind the pieces, the anonymous artist claimed responsibility by posting a video of his trip on his Instagram page titled “A Great British Spraycation”.
Not all seem to be fans of his latest work, the piece containing a rat relaxing on the beach with a martini has since been vandalised by someone who has painted over it with a paint roller. This happened just days after it appeared, meaning many who have travelled to seaside town will be left disappointed.
Some locals tried to clean the piece with water and brushes but were not successful. The East Suffolk Council said “We are naturally appalled that someone has chosen to behave in such a selfish and mindless way given how excited we all are by the appearance of these works here on the east coast. We are, however, hopeful that this particular work can be restored, and are engaging with specialists.” This gave many locals hope that the piece would once again be restored to its original state.
Banksy’s art has appeared all over the world for the last 30 years, starting in the streets of Bristol and reaching as far out as San Fransisco and even Mali in Africa. Who knows where the next Banksy will appear…
