By Thomas Brandes
A new mural by Banksy on Hornsey Road is now surrounded by fencing and partially covered by a protective glass panel.
Local residents were excited to have such an attraction close to home, which brought some attention to the neighbourhood, until the mural was vandalised a few weeks ago leading to the installation of security cameras.
The fencing impedes physical access to the mural, which protects it from further damage, but it also blocks passersbys’ view of it, making it hard to enjoy the art itself.
Will, 27, a local resident who did not want to give his last name, said: “It’s crap, now that it’s all boarded up. If it had been a continuous glass panel, it’d be fine, but there’s a wall in front of it!”
A nurse on her way to visit her patient, who did not want to share her identity, liked the mural, noticing that “it impacts the community because there are a lot of people standing, contemplating the art every day”.
She added: “I think blocking it [the mural] is a good idea, people are wicked!”
Nevertheless, the area is much less lively now, compared to when the mural was brand new and entirely visible.
Javier Valdez, 45, local resident, said: “I don’t know if anyone here knows Banksy but as a piece of art it is interesting.
“It’s also interesting that this art is protected, instead of others. Maybe it’s more important and maybe it’s normal for UK politicians to protect this art.”
This is not the first time Banksy’s art has been the target of vandalism. In 2022 a different Banksy artwork in Norfolk was defaced by graffiti. This was quickly removed, and the artwork was shielded with a weatherproof protective coating.
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