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Banksy Artwork Painted Over In Apparent Act of Vandalism

Henry Stroud |
October 4, 2011 | 11:05 p.m. PDT

Staff Reporter

Is this the work of Banksy's rival? (image via Daily Mail)
Is this the work of Banksy's rival? (image via Daily Mail)

A famous painting in Bristol, England by renowned street artist, Banksy, was discovered painted over on October 3 in what appears to be the newest entry in the ongoing rivalry between Banksy and fellow graffiti-artist King Robbo. 

The painting, which is located on a wall on Upper Maudlin Street in Bristol, displayed a young child preparing to pop a bag in the ear of a soldier firing a sniper rifle. The image of both the boy and the sniper have been scribbled out in black spray paint, and the wall is signed “Team Robbo,” an apparent allusion to the famous artist. 

This is hardly the first time that the two artists have butted heads. Their feud began in 1985 when Banksy allegedly painted over Robbo’s work on a wall in Regent’s Canal in London. The Regent’s Canal site has been the main battleground for the two, as they have repeatedly painted over the work, each adding their own twist to the original depiction. 

The Bristol City Council, which is usually in charge of cleaning up acts of vandalism in the city, claims that they have no responsibility in cleaning up the work because it was not done on a publicly owned building. They have cleaned up Banksy’s works on many other occasions, although never in an incident involving King Robbo. 

Although this is the latest chapter in the rivalry, it is fairly safe to assume that it will not be the last. The only question that remains is where Banksy will strike next. 



 

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