The mural of a Rat holding a machine gun by Banksy is said to be one of his largest works in Britain. Photo: ALAMY
Posted on 02/21/2010 3:26:34 AM PST by Daffynition
One of Britain's biggest Banksy artworks in Liverpool is to be painted over by a property developer who admits he doesn't like modern art.
The mural, a 30-foot tall painting of a rat holding a machine gun, will disappear after the businessman bought the former Liverpool pub it adorns and promised to paint over it.
The Grade 2 listed Georgian property was adorned by artwork from the Bristol-born graffiti giant Banksy, as part of Liverpool's Biennial art festival in 2004.
But after purchasing the artwork at auction on Thursday for £114,000, property developer Billy Palmer, 44, admitted he has no interest in preserving the painting, despite protests from art lovers.
"I'm not a fan of modern art, I can't say I know much about it really," he said after the auction at Liverpool's Marriott Hotel.
"All I was concerned about was getting this great building for a good price, I'm going to turn it into luxury flats.
"I might leave the Banksy on the wall until last, just to see how it looks, but it will have to go to get the look I want."
As an official commission, the work is a rarity for Banksy.
He has stopped authenticating his work to prevent dealers from cashing-in on his now global fame.
His fame hit new heights in 2009 when his Bristol exhibition saw hundreds of thousands of fans queue for up to five hours to see his latest pieces.
Liverpool-based urban artists group Purple Revolver, who have campaigned for the giant Banksy to be preserved, said losing the artwork would be a "tragedy".
"It would be an absolute tragedy if this artwork was destroyed," said Amber Tan, the group's director.
"As a graffiti artist, Banksy has gained international acclaim for his work, many of which now command ...
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(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
Does this look 30ft tall?
LOL!!!
He must be using the metric system. :)
The tail is rat-like, but the face is pure CAT.
It should be saved - from the photo you can tell it really brightens up the neighborhood - graffiti is the new jobs program. Just like high speed rail, prosperity follows each new project.
/s
I fail to see a reason to keep the painting.
As I was reading the story I was picturing in my mind a mural on the side of a building - maybe a corner building or an alley.
Now that I see the picture? Part of it is painted on plywood nailed over a window. Whats the new owner to do? Keep the plywood and not ever paint it?
Anyway, looks like part of the painting is peeling any as it is now.
Must have been a slow day in their news department.
That doesn’t compute either ...
30 feet = 9.14 meters
30 meters = 98.43 feet
Thomas Jefferson is not to blame. ;)
Banksy:
Banksy:
If they like kitties they can always just come over to Free Republic and look at our machine guns.
He maybe a great artist - didn’t say he wasn’t.
I was commenting on his placement of the picture in question. Having a portion of his painting on plywood covering a window?
PS - I like the maid painting.
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