Banksy’s tree mural has been defaced after just three days – with vandals hurling white paint across the new north London artwork before a local authority erected a metal security fence.
The damage was revealed this morning after the street artist earlier confirmed he was behind a mural which appeared overnight on the side of a block in Islington.
The artwork in Finsbury Park shows green paint behind a bare tree to resemble foliage, with a stencil of a person holding a pressure hose depicted next to it.
Locals said they felt ‘proud and delighted’ at the thought of the anonymous artist choosing their street for his latest mural when it emerged- though there were concerns their rents could now ‘skyrocket’.
BBC London journalist Anna O’Neill posted this morning on X, formerly Twitter, pictures of the vandalism to the artwork as well as a newly-installed protective fence.
The Banksy artwork has appeared on the side of a building near Finsbury Park in London
She wrote: ‘This is why we can’t have nice things. #Banksy mural defaced after just 3 days.’
She followed up with an image of a fence which has now been added at the site in Hornsey Road, Finsbury Park.
Trainee clinical psychologist Amy, who lives in the apartment block, also tweeted a picture of the damage.
She wrote: ‘Someone’s vandalised the Banksy overnight. Gutted. Why can’t people let a community be happy without trying to ruin it?’
asked Islington Council yesterday whether any security measures for the installation were likely, but was told there were no planned updates.
The local authority said on Tuesday: ‘Culture is a powerful way to tell meaningful stories and we welcome this artwork in Islington, a borough that celebrates creativity.
‘This fantastic piece from Banksy has sparked a real buzz across Islington and beyond, and we very much want the artwork to stay for people to enjoy. We want to find more ways that we can tell important stories through art and culture.
‘Trees are a vital part of our work to tackle the climate emergency. We’ve planted nearly 900 in the last year alone, and we work hard to care for our trees and help them to thrive.’
The artwork shows a splattering of green which has been painted behind a bare tree to look like foliage, with a stencil of a person holding what appears to be a pressure hose next to it
The bare wall pictured one year ago on March 2023 showing no greenery
Former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn said he was ‘delighted’ to see the artwork in his Islington North constituency
has approached the council for comment on the latest developments.
Banksy, who has 12.3million Instagram followers, confirms art is his by posting a picture – and provided this for the Finsbury Park painting at 11.13am on Monday.
Prior to the official announcement, the artwork had already been gathering fans at the site on Hornsey Road in north London.
Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said he was ‘delighted’ to see the artwork in his Islington North constituency.
The MP, now sitting in Parliament as an independent, said: ‘Banksy’s come to Finsbury Park with a bit of greenery in a place that needs a bit more greenery. We’re the most densely populated constituency in the country and I’m just delighted.
‘It gives the idea that we could do with much more greenery everywhere and I think that’s a really nice message.’
It is understood that the cherry tree in front of the artwork is about 40 to 50 years old and is in declining health.
The council’s tree service had been maintaining it for some time to help prolong its lifespan and is attempting to keep the decaying tree alive.
The artwork has already been gathering Banksy fans to the location on Hornsey Road in north London as they inspect it to see if it could be the real thing
Banksy’s eye for detail was on display as the colour of the paint matches the one used for street signs by Islington Council
The last time Banksy’s art was revealed in London, it ended in scandal.
Two men were arrested and bailed for allegedly using bolt cutters to steal the artwork which pictured a stop sign featuring three military drones.
Once Banksy announced on social media the artwork belonged to him in an Instagram post shortly after midday on December 23, two men allegedly appeared at the scene and cut down the artwork before running off.
Police have yet to recover the piece of art, but one gallery owner told the BBC at the time it could be worth up to £500,000.