Vandalism of Paint Festival mural shows a 'lack of respect', says organiser
The "Nest" painted on the walls of the Pittville changing rooms was defaced over the weekend
Cheltenham Paint Festival organiser, Andy Dice Davies, has labelled the destruction of one of their mural's as a "lack of respect".
Over the weekend, a piece painted on the walls of Pittville Park's changing rooms was defaced.
It was painted at last year's Cheltenham Paint Festival by street artist Caryn Koh. The piece called "Nest" is a tribute to the support provided by friends and families, and depicts a women warped in arms with red thread tied around her.
However, organiser Andy Dice Davies didn't want the the mural to be ruined and woke up early to make sure it was restored to its original state.
Whilst painting over the graffiti he tells us, "it's difficult really, we paint public art that you hope will last for a long time.
"Our (street artists) culture is based on respect, what we tend to do when we paint is try to go over it with something better, I don't think this person has done that.
"The community has really enjoyed it and its a shame for it to be spoilt.
"I think its an education thing, like I said our culture is built on respect and going through someone's public artwork like this is a lack of respect.
Andy Dice Davies jokingly adds, "Maybe we are a victim of our own success, we've done hundreds of paintings all over town, inspiring kids to take up art, and maybe this is his first attempt to do a piece on a wall.
"It would be nice if his parents talk to him, if he wants to practice, there is a place to practice."
He wants to remind people who want to practice their street art to use the free wall on the Honeybourne line.
Andy Dice Davies has now restored the artwork to its original state and warns people that this is a paid wall and vandalising the murals is a criminal offence.
The incident has been reported to Gloucestershire police.