Street art in the style of elusive graffiti artist Banksy has been appearing on walls and buildings throughout towns on England’s east coast.
The mysterious creations appeared in Gorleston, Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft.
The artist’s work is wildly eclectic and captures a wide range of scenes. In one, a child plays near a dug up-pavement while in another a man and a woman dance while an accordionist plays on top of a bus shelter. The piece in Gorleston depicts the type of crane you would see in an amusement arcade.
The artist has not taken the time to verify his or her work via Instagram or by any other means.
The BBC has attempted to contact representatives of the elusive street artist Banksy, who is known for his latest work including a hula-hooping girl and an escaping prisoner.
Banksy expert Professor Paul Gough, principal and vice chancellor of Arts University Bournemouth believes the paintings are most likely by Banksy “or they are very good fakes”.
“Banksy has clearly been enjoying an East Anglian staycation: these are very sophisticated stencils showing an artist at the top of his game,” he said.
“The paintwork is distinctive; the drawing is really sharp; even the dance steps are convincing, as always with Banksy, the context is crucial: he chooses his sites carefully, and these three are beautifully located”.
“The three works speak to different generations of viewers: young children, seniors, and those out to have a great time after 18 months of lockdown. Perhaps the child with the crowbar is a symbol of us all being released from the pandemic”.
Other Banksy-style pieces that have appeared in the area include a rodent relaxing on a deckchair, undoubtedly enjoying his retirement from rat life. Another is simply an artful rendition of a seagull diving for scraps found in a skip.
The three towns where the new artworks have appeared are teaming up to make a joint bid to become the next UK City of Culture in 2025.
It is the first time that towns and neighbouring places have been allowed to apply for the prestigious status.
“Banksy has supported previous City of Culture events, and this is another act of giving: typical of his generosity in these troubled times, but also with his trademark thought-provoking imagery.” Professor Gough said.
Sheila Oxtoby, the Chief Executive of Great Yarmouth Borough Council said “We’re just as intrigued and curious as everybody else as to whether these could be genuine Banksy’s”.
“It would be great to think that they were, but we really don’t know, twitter’s gone crazy – just admiring the quality of the artwork which has appeared overnight from nowhere”.
Asked if it was anything to do with the city of culture bid, Ms. Oxtoby replied: “It would have been a good ruse, wouldn’t it? but it definitely isn’t the council behind this”.
She said the council had “asked a few people who may know” how to verify if the work was an authentic Banksy and that “no decision” had been made about what will be done with them.
The curator of the Yare Gallery in Great Yarmouth, Sarah Young has seen the artwork on Admiralty Road and said: “I definitely want this to be a Banksy – wouldn’t it be cool?”.
“It would be a huge boost to Yarmouth – everyone is already looking at it, wondering ‘Is it? Is it not? Come on, Banksy – let us know”.
Arts Curator Ruben Cruz, founder and active chairman of Reprezent Project, which runs arts events and workshops for young people, said he was confident the work in Great Yarmouth was by the artist, adding: “Banksy in town – it’s crazy awesome!”
“I hope no one vandalizes the mural,” he said, ” Reprezent is trying to find a way to protect the Yarmouth mural”.
Banksy is an internationally acclaimed graffiti artist whose paintings have sold for millions.
In 2018 he made international headlines when one of his paintings self-shredded after it was sold in auction for more than £1million.
