Banksy artwork found in Port Talbot to leave Wales as graffiti removed
The iconic graffiti artist's piece has been transported in one piece
Last updated 8th Feb 2022
A piece of art from renowned street artist Banksy which appeared in Wales is to leave the country.
Titled 'Season's Greetings', the artwork was found on the back of a steelworker's garage in Port Talbot in 2018.
The piece shows a dumpster on fire, with the embers flying in the air to be eaten by a young child as it falls like snow.
After being discovered in the run-up to Christmas four years ago, experts confirmed that the work was indeed that of Banksy.
However, over time, fans of both Banksy and the mural itself threatened to destroy the pristine condition of the graffiti, which has prompted its removal from the area.
Speaking about the move, the piece's owner John Bradler said that the motivation behind the move was conservation.
“Since Season’s Greetings appeared three years ago, fanatics have tried to destroy this amazing piece of art.
"We’re moving it to preserve it for future generations, where it can be seen and enjoyed, but not vandalised.”
The exact plan for the wall is yet to be formally decided, with the art being temporarily stored in one piece at a secure location.
If enough funds are raised through an initiative run by the Banksy Preservation Society, 'Season's Greetings' will go on display to the public, preserving the mural for future generations.
Here are stories of other Banksy artworks spotted across the UK:
Brighton Banksy artwork auctioned off by Robbie Williams
Three of Banksy's most recognisable artworks from Robbie Williams's collection were up for auction last spring. The pieces - Girl With Balloon, Kissing Coppers and Vandalised Oils (Choppers) - were up for sale in the first edition of Sotheby's The Now Evening Auction in London on 2nd March.
Banksy pledges £10m for Reading Prison arts hub campaign
Banksy offered to raise millions of pounds to boost a bid to transform Reading prison which once held Oscar Wilde into an arts centre. Campaigners hope the move will prevent the Grade-II listed HMP Reading from being sold to housing developers.
Potential new Banksy artwork appears inspired by speed camera 'moon' incident
A potential art piece by renowned graffiti artist Banksy appeared inspired by a 'mooning' incident with a speed camera. Terminally ill Darrell Meekcom bore his backside to the speed camera in Kidderminster as part of a bucket list he had drawn up. However, Mr Meekcom was arrested by police soon after 'mooning' the speed camera van. It was later revealed that the piece was painted by Glasgow-based artist The Rebel Bear, who has been dubbed the 'Scottish Banksy'.
Banksy sells for record-breaking £18.5 million
Banksy artwork 'Love Is In The Bin' was sold for a record-breaking £18.5 million. That's more than 18 times what it sold for three years ago - when it went viral for self-shredding immediately after the sale in London.
Banksy hospital artwork raises £14.4m at auction for NHS
A Banksy painting depicting a young boy playing with a nurse doll raised £14.4 million for NHS charities after being sold at auction. The painting appeared in a foyer at Southampton General Hospital during the first wave of the pandemic.
'Aachoo' - Banksy confirms he IS behind new Bristol mural
Banksy laid claim to a new mural in Bristol in December 2020. It shows an elderly woman sneezing out her teeth on the side of a Totterdown house - he captioned the painting "aachoo". The subject, wearing a head scarf, is seen dropping her walking stick:
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