New Banksy mural defaced just days after appearing

A new Banksy mural in north London has been defaced after appearing just days ago.

The huge green painting on the side of a block of flats in Hornsey Road, near Finsbury Park, was first spotted on Sunday.

A day later, the anonymous artist confirmed that he was behind the project.

But photos show that just three days after it first appeared, white paint has been thrown over the mural.

Two streaks appear to have been thrown over the green patches on the side of the building, meant to replicate the absent leaves of a nearby tree which has been cropped.

Islington Council told Sky News: “In recent days, the piece has created a real buzz in the borough and beyond, and we very much want it to stay.

“It’s sad to see the piece has been defaced. When the mural first arrived in Islington, we moved quickly to put in place temporary measures to protect it and manage the crowds, such as installing fencing and having visits from Park Patrol officers.

“We are discussing future solutions with the homeowner, to enable everyone to enjoy the artwork while protecting it, the tree, and the surrounding area. We’re also in the process of installing a CCTV camera.

“This is a really powerful piece, which highlights the vital role that trees play in our communities and in tackling the climate emergency.

“Culture is a powerful way to tell meaningful stories, and we very much hope that the piece, which is still fantastic, will now be left alone for people to enjoy.”

It’s not the first time artwork from Banksy has been defaced, with his ‘Spraycation’ mural in Suffolk covered in white paint in August 2021.

East Suffolk Council said at the time it was “appalled” by the vandalism and added that a member of security staff had caught the person responsible in the act and stopped them from causing any further damage.

In March of the same year, a Banksy mural painted on the side of a former prison which once housed Oscar Wilde was defaced with a rival’s name.

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Banksy’s last confirmed work before the Finsbury Park tree was a stop sign in Peckham, south London, with three military drones stuck across it, and was shared just before Christmas.

However, that work was removed less than an hour after it was confirmed to be genuine on the artist’s social media, with witnesses reporting it was taken down by a man with bolt cutters.

Two men were later arrested on suspicion of theft and criminal damage.

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