Potential Banksy artwork appears in Bristol in time for Valentine’s Day
The piece appeared overnight in the Barton Hill area of the city.
A piece of street art has appeared in Banksy’s hometown of Bristol, with speculation that it could be the work of the elusive artist.
Residents in the Barton Hill area of the city awoke on Thursday to find the piece on the side of a building.
The artwork, on Marsh Lane, features a girl firing a slingshot of flowers in a possible nod to Valentine’s Day.
She told the PA news agency: “My friend said ‘Isn’t that one of your rental properties?’
“We’ve been down here all day and it’s just been a complete buzz of excitement. There’s so many people coming and enjoying it, taking pictures, it’s fantastic.
“There’s been a lot of debate if it is a Banksy or not. Most people I’ve spoken to think it 100% is, and they’re naming it the Valentine’s Banksy.
“It’s incredible and beautiful.”
Mrs Woodruff said the artwork had come on the 67th birthday of her father, Edwin Simons, who owns the family rental business.
She also said the family were looking to get glass to cover the art to preserve it, but said Bristol City Council was unable to offer any help.
She added: “My slight worry is, we’ve got this Storm Dennis coming on the weekend, so I really want to try and protect the roses.”
Bristol Somali Community Association tweeted: “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. Thank you.”
One local resident, James Bullock, tweeted that he had seen the piece early on Thursday morning.
“Me and my girlfriend were heading that way to the gym this morning about 6.20 and there were people with scaffolding up,” he tweeted.
“Thought it was odd and then we walked past it again this morning!!”
Bristol-based blog She and Hem tweeted photographs of the street art, writing: “Is this a Banksy in Bristol?”.
Banksy often confirms his artworks by posting images of them on Instagram or his website.
However, the Bristol piece had not appeared on either on Thursday morning.
