Has Banksy left his mark on Reading Prison?
People have been gathering to look at an urban artwork that has appeared overnight on a wall of Reading Prison
Last updated 1st Mar 2021
There's lots of discussion around a 'Banksy style' piece of urban art that has appeared on a wall of Reading prison overnight.
It depicts a convict escaping from the prison using knotted bed sheets and with a typewriter dangling on a chord below him.
People are suggesting it depicts Oscar Wilde, the prison's former inmate.
Thames Valley Police have joined in saying they're glad the prison is closed as otherwise they'd have been concerned.
Witnesses say a scaffolding tower appeared last night and although people wondered what was happening nobody went to check.
The art work has appeared by the so-called 'Homebase roundabout' overlooking a particularly busy piece of road.
As for whether it's a genuine Banksy - opinions are divided with some saying it's a clever stunt.
Nathan Hyde - Local democracy reporter writes:
A Banksy expert says “there’s a very good chance” the mysterious artist is behind the mural that appeared outside Reading Prison.
Professor Paul Gough, vice chancellor at Arts University Bournemouth, has spent years studying the street artist’s work and he is the author of ‘Banksy: The Bristol Legacy’.
He said the quality of this painting, which was spotted earlier today, suggests it may be a genuine Banksy.
Professor Gough said: “It’s quite easy to copy Banksy. It’s even easier to copy Banksy badly, because stencilling isn’t that difficult.
“But what is so convincing about a good Banksy is the quality of the painting is usually pretty good.
“You can see from the photographs I’m looking at now that the paintwork itself is pretty accomplished.
“There’s a use of a mid-tone for the stripes on the figure which is new, I’ve not seen that in Banksy’s work before.
“The face has been painted with a slightly different colour, not dissimilar to the colour that was used on the portrait of the old lady in Bristol.
“The quality of the painting on the face and hands is unique and I’m looking at the way the white paint has been applied to the typewriter.
“It looks pretty good to me. It’s almost too good.”
Professor Gough said “there’s a very good chance” this is the work of Bansky and he is keeping a close eye on the street artist’s Instagram, to see if he confirms it in the coming days.
He also said the location of the artwork must be taken into account, because Banksy “doesn’t put things anywhere”.
“It’s not just any old brick wall,” said Professor Gough.
“There’s a lot of conversations around the future of the jail, with artists, writers, performers and dramatists advocating its use as an arts venue.”
According to Professor Gough, if this is a genuine Banksy, the value of the Victorian prison could increase significantly. However, several walls with Banksy murals on them have been removed and sold to art galleries or private collectors.
The Ministry of Justice owns the prison, which has not housed any inmates since 2013, but Reading Borough Council wants to buy it.
The council is drawing up a business case for the Grade II listed building, as it wants to transform the old prison, that once held Oscar Wilde, it into an arts centre.
Several people claim they saw men on scaffolding next to the prison wall over the weekend, before the mural appeared.
But it is still not clear whether this is the work of Banksy or a skilful copycat.
Professor Gough said he does not know if he’s ever met the mysterious street artist in person, as his identity remains a secret.
But the art professor was in contact with Banksy when he was writing ‘Banksy: The Bristol Legacy’.