Banksy saga in Reading continues as another mural appears
There are suggestions of a turf war between the artist and Team Robbo
The Banksy saga in Reading continues as part of artwork that was vandalised at the prison has now appeared on a bridge.
Last week, the painting which appeared on the side of Reading's former prison was defaced with red paint covering a typewriter.
It was believed to be a reference to graffiti artist King Robbo, who was in a long-running feud with Banksy before his death in 2014.
Their rivalry is believed to have begun in 2009, when Banksy painted over one of King Robbo’s tags by Regent’s Canal in Camden.
Banksy confirmed the piece was his work in footage told in the parody of an instructional art video.
Leader of Reading Borough Council disappointed
Reacting to the vandalism last week, which appeared on the Ministry of Justice land at the vacant prison site, Reading Borough Council Leader Jason Brock said:
“This is obviously hugely disappointing following the initial excitement in Reading recently when Banksy’s artwork appeared. How anyone can somehow think this is acceptable is completely beyond me, even if this is an extension of a historic feud, as is being suggested. There is understandable anger across the town today.
“The vacant Reading Goal site, including the perimeter wall which Banksy’s artwork is on, is private land owned by the Ministry of Justice.
“When the original artwork appeared, the Council made contact with the Ministry of Justice to ask it to make suitable arrangements to protect the image. We will now be contacting them again to see what action it intends to take. I've seen many people supporting the idea of restoring the artwork, which I also back in principle. As long as the site remains in the Ministry of Justice's ownership, however, they would need to take the lead in facilitating this.”
Typewriter reappears
Then, at the weekend the typewriter appeared on a bridge in the town.
There are now suggestions of a turf war between the artist and Team Robbo, as the words 'Cherish Love Hope' have also appeared above the typewriter.
It looks like it may be a while before we figure out this mystery as Banksy hasn't claimed the new artwork, yet.