Welsh steelworker sells Banksy mural that appeared on side of his garage for ‘six-figure sum’

Welsh steelworker sells Banksy mural that appeared on side of his garage for ‘six-figure sum’ – as Essex art dealer says it can stay on wall for two years

  • Art dealer John Brandler, 63, from Essex, paid a ‘six-figure sum’ for the artwork
  • Painting appeared on two walls of a garage in Taibach, Port Talbot in December
  • Residents believe the graffiti references Tata steelworks plant two miles away
  • Mr Brandler, who owns several Banksys, said he’s thinking of putting on display  

John Brandler, 63, has purchased the Banksy artwork in Port Talbot, South Wales, for a six figure sum and said he’ll keep it there for now

A Banksy artwork painted on the side of a steelworker’s garage has been sold to an art dealer for a ‘six-figure sum’.

John Brandler, 63, who owns Brandler Galleries in Essex, said he had agreed the mural could be kept in Port Talbot, South Wales, for a minimum of two years.

The artwork, which shows a child dressed playing in the falling ash and smoke from a skip fire, is Banksy’s first to appear in Wales and is believed to be a comment on pollution linked to its steel plant.

Steelworker Ian Lewis, 55, said it was like ‘Christmas had come early’ after the work appeared on the side of his garage in the Taibach area on December 18.

However he later confessed he was ‘struggling’ to manage with the attention.

New owner Mr Brandler said he already owned several Banksy pieces, and suggested putting ‘five or six’ more of the artist’s works on public display in the Welsh town to help tourism.

Mr Brandler, from Brentwood, said: ‘I’m so chuffed to have it, you have no idea.

‘This isn’t the most valuable Banksy I own but it’s certainly the one I’m most proud of. Because it’s so brilliant. It has an instant message, and it’s punchy. 

The mural appeared on steelworker Ian Lewis' garage in the Taibach area in December 

The mural appeared on steelworker Ian Lewis’ garage in the Taibach area in December 

Mr Lewis, left, sold the piece to Mr Brandler, right, who has said he'll keep the artwork in the town for a minimum of two years and might bring 'five or six more' to create an exhibition

Mr Lewis, left, sold the piece to Mr Brandler, right, who has said he’ll keep the artwork in the town for a minimum of two years and might bring ‘five or six more’ to create an exhibition

‘It’s not just a girl holding a balloon or a bunch of flowers or something. This is a really strong social message.

‘Ian was getting offers from people who wanted to take it away and not work with the town.

‘But I want to make Port Talbot a go-to place rather than a go-from place.

‘Within a short time I’m thinking of bringing five or six more Banksys to Port Talbot. Let’s do an exhibition.

‘If we all work together I think we will get tonnes of people coming to Port Talbot.’

The art dealer said he had given a ‘written guarantee’ the artwork would stay in Port Talbot ‘for a minimum of two to three years’, and added: ‘If it works, it can stay longer. If it doesn’t work then I’ll move it to a different industrial city.’

The artwork shows a child playing in falling ash and smoke from a skip fire, making residents believe the graffiti references the Tata steelworks plant two miles away

The artwork shows a child playing in falling ash and smoke from a skip fire, making residents believe the graffiti references the Tata steelworks plant two miles away

Mr Brandler said he was in Cardiff on Friday morning to meet with representatives from the Welsh Assembly today to see ‘what happens next’.

Hollywood actor Michael Sheen has been contributing towards security costs to protect the artwork in his hometown, which included a donation to a protective plastic screen currently covering the artwork.

Banksy confirmed the artwork was his in a video on Instagram in December which had the caption ‘Season’s greetings’. 

At the end of the footage, which is soundtracked by Christmas music, the video pans up to show the industrial landscape of Port Talbot steelworks, which is thought to have inspired the painting.

The artwork appears months after Port Talbot was mistakenly dubbed the most polluted town in the UK.

In May the World Heath Organisation had to apologise after it admitted its figures were wrong.

The global body said Port Talbot’s air pollution was measured at 9.6853 micrograms, just under half of the figure it had originally given the town, and below WHO national guideline of 10 micrograms.

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