2020 has had a huge impact on how people are able to do their jobs, and for a lot of us, it has changed the way we go about our roles. Many people are now working remotely, avoiding contact with others where possible to minimise risk. For those that are self-employed or freelancers, the way in which they work may not have changed dramatically, but the way they approach things might have.
One thing that has flourished throughout the pandemic, however, is creativity. Regardless of role, people are being encouraged to think more creatively and approach tasks differently from the norm. Whether it’s finding new ways to communicate with clients or changes in service delivery, people are finding ways to continue doing what they love.
One person who hasn’t let COVID stifle their creativity, is street artist, Banksy. Back in May, new artwork appeared in the Emergency department foyer of Southampton General Hospital. The painting shows a child having disregarded popular superheroes for an NHS Nurse. The piece was accompanied by a note from Banksy, reading “Thanks for all you’re doing. I hope this brightens the place up a bit, even if it’s only black and white.”
Following this tribute to the hardworking NHS, other artists have followed suit, brightening up towns across the UK with tributes to our healthcare workers.
Who is Banksy?
Banksy started his career between 1990 – 1994, and quickly became well known for painting murals and using stencils which are thought-provoking, striking and sometimes humorous, occasionally combined with slogans. As his art has become increasingly popular over the years, with people now eager to see where a mural will appear next.
Despite its popularity, graffiti remains illegal, which is why keeping Banksy’s true identity anonymous is so important. Naturally, people are still curious, and determined to finally put a face to the name. Various names have been put forward over the years but have never been confirmed, meaning the speculation continues. Most recently, a tweet went viral suggesting that Neil Buchanan who hosted Art Attack was in fact, Banksy.
Both artists are also musicians, which added credibility to the theory, and Buchanan is reported to have had gigs within a similar timeframe to new Banksy installations appearing in the same area. The general public were revelling in this theory, inundating Neils’s website with questions about whether or not the rumours were true. Shortly after this, the website featured a statement which reads “We have been inundated with enquiries over the weekend regarding the current social media story. Unfortunately, this website does not have the infrastructure to answer all these enquiries individually, however, we can confirm that there is no truth in the rumour whatsoever.”
This news left the internet disappointed, with some users refusing to accept the update, suggesting “That’s what the real Banksy would say…”
Has Banksy Used a Garage Wall as His Latest Canvas?
Following all this speculation, Allan Levy, a 57-year-old man from Northampton, has now found a new piece of art which adds more fuel to the fire. In early September, Allan woke up to discover a large mural on the garage wall of his Brick Kiln Lane home. The stencilled mural features Neil Buchanan holding a spray paint can and a monkey mask, unveiling himself as the world-renowned street artist Banksy. The piece even features the Banksy logo in the bottom right corner.
Despite the piece being in keeping with Banksy’s style, the artist has not yet claimed responsibility for the work. But how did Mr Levy feel about his painted, white brick garage wall having been used as a canvas? Luckily, Allan feels incredibly lucky that his wall may now feature a Banksy mural. When interviewed, he was incredibly positive about the find, stating “I was blown away when I saw it. It’s certainly a great piece of art and I love street art. It was obviously clever and well thought out, the stencilling work is extremely well done. I’d certainly like to think it was Banksy and it has been the talk of the town since. I’d recently cut back some plants that were hanging over onto the wall. I’m glad I did as at least the artist had a clear space to work with.”
The garage wall is on Mr Levys’ driveway which is shared with another neighbour. The garage itself is part of an old row of garages in the neighbourhood and although not all residents are happy with the new edition, Alan says he is proud to have it there, whether it turns out to be a Banksy piece or not.
The Banksy site pestcontroloffice.com has been contacted for verification of the piece and has said that if the mural is in fact a legitimate Banksy, it would appear on his Instagram profile in time, but this could take weeks.
Creative uses for Garages
You may not have seen a topical, stencilled mural on a garage wall near you, but we’d love to hear about other ways in which you have seen garages decorated. Garages are incredibly versatile and multi-purpose, making them a great shell for creativity. If you would like a garage that stands out from the crowd, why not get in touch with us at 0800 118 2547.
