A new mural by street artist Banksy showing a group of pigeons holding anti-immigration banners has been destroyed by council officials following a complaint the work was “racist”.
The mural, worth around £400,000 in Clacton-on-Sea, where a by-election is due to take place following the local MP’s defection to UKIP, appeared this week. The local council which removed it, said it did not know it was by Banksy, conceding that the artist’s political satire was lost on them. Tendring District Council said it received a complaint that the mural was “offensive” and “racist”. The artist, who chooses to remain anonymous, posted pictures of the work on his website earlier. Banksy’s work has covered many controversial topics including climate change, surveillance culture, workers’ rights and war. Visitors to the artist’s website can see pictures of the wall before and after the artwork.
Images: www.banksy.co.uk
Text: Diana Scorici