Banksy’s latest mural has been defaced just hours after it was unveiled on social media.
The enigmatic artist posted a video of his latest work on Instagram yesterday, showing a rough sleeper on bench being “pulled” by two festive reindeer.
The street artwork, painted onto a wall in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, was instantly praised for shining a spotlight on homelessness.
But within hours of being confirmed as a genuine Banksy, the Vyse Street mural was vandalised with Rudolf-style red noses.
The spray-on additions sparked immediate action from authorities, who swiftly covered it up with protective perspex.
The wall painting was cleaned of all but one of the red noses, before Network Rail workers drilled on the special cover.
David Golding, interim route managing director for Network Rail's Central route, said: "As a railway family, our hearts go out to the homeless, especially at this time of year.
"Banksy's wall art has captured their plight so well. It's right we protect it so everyone can see it."
Jewellery Quarter BID marketing manager Steve Lovell agreed, telling the Express and Star: "It is truly an incredible and thought-provoking piece, which highlighted a genuine crisis in our city.
He told the paper: "We were astounded to hear it had been defaced so soon after appearing - it was only a matter of hours.
"A young guy just jumped over the barriers and sprayed two noses on it, which is inaccurate to start with as only Rudolph has a red nose.
"He was asking the crowds whether he should do it and people were begging him saying, 'Please don't do it, please don't do it'.
"One of our executives tried to clean it off, but to no avail,” he added.
The video posted by Banksy on Monday and titled ‘God Bless Birmingham’ has had almost three million views in one day.
Alongside the clip, the caption reads: “In the 20 minutes we filmed Ryan on this bench passers-by gave him a hot drink, two chocolate bars and a lighter - without him ever asking for anything.”
Instagram users have praised the artist for his “heartbreaking” but enlightening new piece which highlights the plight of rough sleepers.
It follows the launch of the Standard’s ambitious two-year appeal, The Homeless Fund, to end homelessness in London.
Using the money raised, the London Homeless Collective, a coalition of 23 charities delivering direct services to people sleeping rough or at risk of homelessness, will work to target the worst gaps - particularly around support for homeless women and mental health provisions.
