AN artwork in Glasgow strongly suspected to have been by Banksy has covered up, after it was spray-painted over.
The piece, which appeared in an alley near the city’s Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA), showed a rat caught in a trap banging a broken drum with “God Save the King” written on it.
The rat was wearing a Union flag hat and looked to have been lured into the trap by a copy of the Sun newspaper.
Trapped rat wearing a sash, UJ hat, and a bust Lambeg, baited with a copy of The Sun. Springfield Ct, Glasgow. Reeks o' Banksy. pic.twitter.com/Tuamjszy9o
— Brian Noonan (@ZaffyBus) June 21, 2023
Banksy does not verify his street art, but the piece was widely believed to be by the world-famous artist, who is currently holding an exhibition in the nearby GoMA.
Workers had initially painted over the piece in Springfield Court, according to the Times, before that was removed revealing the artwork once again.
Then an unknown vandal spray-painted over the piece, covering it for a second time.
Now, it has been covered over a third time in a job which looks to have been done professionally.
A Glasgow Council spokesperson confirmed they had plans to cover the artwork and denied to was by Banksy.
Sharing images of the artwork before and after the vandalism, Scots comic Janey Godley wrote on Twitter: “Off the lane near the Banksy exhibition – not confirmed a real Banksy – but gained a lot of public attention – but it upset some people and was covered in graffiti.”
Off the lane near the Banksy exhibition- not confirmed a real Banksy - but gained a lot of public attention - but it upset some people and was covered in graffiti #glasgow #banksy pic.twitter.com/3442UU36Gs
— Janey Godley (@JaneyGodley) June 22, 2023
Glasgow University historian Dr Stephen Mullen, who tweets under the title of his book the Glasgow Sugar Aristocracy, also shared a before and after. He wrote: “Banksy leaves Glasgow with a £20m artwork lampooning the city’s fascination and endorsement of marching. One day later.”
“PS. Verified only as a ‘possible’ Banksy and £20m is probably too generous,” Mullen added.
Derek Watson, from the DW Podcast, said: “You’ll get a lot of outrage from people about this potential Banksy piece being buffed but I wonder if that was the artist’s desired outcome?
“It feeds the narrative.
“It highlights part of the scene.
“It begs the question why are people happy with a Banksy but not a local artist.”
Banksy's "Cut and Run" GoMA exhibition also features a rat in its logo. It will run until August 28.
Glasgow Council said: “The image has been removed. We understand that it is not by Banksy.
“Anyone who wants to be certain of viewing a true Banksy should head to the exhibition at GoMA.”
Banksy's team later confirmed that the piece was not by the artist.
