Banksy the mysterious street artist of Bristol strikes again, surprising a homeowner with a piece of street art on the man’s property.
But the man is actually pleasantly surprised at the work as can be seen here:
[rumble video_id=v67jrj domain_id=u7nb2]
Video credit: Rumble
But this artwork has been unfortunately vandalized, within 48 hours.
Appearing on the eve of Valentine’s Day, 67-year-old Edwin Simons was happy at seeing the romantic-themed art.
He said: “I’m shocked, absolutely shocked. How do we protect it? That’s all there is in my mind. I don’t want it vandalized.
“We want to protect it. I will never take it down – if I can protect it. I don’t know what I’m going to do. We need someone with some knowledge about it.
“I’ve always been fascinated by Banksy. I think he’s brilliant, absolutely brilliant – and he’s more brilliant now!
“We never thought this would happen to us.
“I think it needs to be covered in anti-vandal paint. But I don’t know how you would protect the flowers. We need to get some advice.”
Simons, from Longwell Green, Bristol, has owned and been a landlord to the property for the past 15 years.
It has three flats and the Banksy artwork appeared on the building’s left side.
He said: “The price [of the house] doesn’t come into it for me – it’s just brightened my day.
“It looks like it’s a Banksy. We might have to put a frame over it; I don’t know how we will protect it otherwise.
“It’s a good birthday present. It’s brought me out of the dumps.
“If there’s anyone who can help us – the door’s open!”
The artwork shows a young girl firing a slingshot at some flowers, a possible reference to February 14.
Simons’ daughter said she was “gobsmacked” on seeing the artwork on her birthday.
Kelly Woodruff, 37, helps her father manage the property on the junction of Avonvale Road and Marsh Road.
She said: “I’m literally gobsmacked. I’m so excited. It’s given everyone a bit of a buzz.”
“I haven’t even spoken to my dad about it yet. I saw it on Facebook and immediately texted it to him. It’s his birthday.
“I don’t know what our plans are – but we’re definitely keeping [the artwork].
“I was trying to get my dad to sell some property. It’s a family-run business. I would say sell [the house] straight away!
“It’s just incredibly exciting. I’m a born and bred Bristol girl. I follow Banksy all the time.”
She added: “It’s just incredible. It’s so exciting that it’s happened on Dad’s birthday – it’s a real present.
“It’s not bad being 67 and getting a Banksy!
“We’d cry if someone vandalized it – we love it.
“We’ve got another property in Easton – Banksy come and do some others for us!”
On being asked if he was Banksy, Simons added: “No, I wish I was – I wouldn’t owe the money I owe!”
Photos taken by the Bristol Somali Community Association soon showed up on Twitter.
They said: “Today in Barton Hill, we woke up with this remarkable mural art painted on one of the houses of the area.
“We hope it’s Banksy’s work. Come and have a look yourself. Whoever painted, it’s worth admiring their creativity.”
The potential Banksy artwork was first spotted at 8 am. The eyewitnesses said that it wasn’t there when they had walked home at 10 pm.
The mysterious street artist always works at night and makes sure to leave before anyone can see him.
The eyewitness told Bristol Live: “Noticed when I went to the shop to get a couple of things.
“There were people getting out cars and taking pictures. It caught my eye as I know that the wall is normally blank.
“The child in the corner is what makes me think it’s Banksy as it is very alike to his other pieces.
“As for the location, its eye-catching to passers-by as it is on a junction, and different to previous locations as Barton Hill hasn’t had something like this before.”
Replaced!