Banksy v Robbo: feud ended by whitewasher

Published: 12 August, 2010
by JOSIE HINTON

A GRAFFITI war between two famous street artists in Camden Town appears to have been brought to an end by a mystery whitewasher.

The feud began last Christmas when Bristol artist Banksy painted over part of an iconic mural by King Robbo, one of the pioneers of the London graffiti scene.

Seen as the ultimate mark of disrespect, the move began a tit-for-tat spat which has kept all eyes fixed on the banks of the Regent’s Canal to see who would have the last word in the battle between the tagging Titans.

But spectators were given a shock this week when Banksy works bearing the tags of “Team Robbo” were covered over in white paint. Robbo’s 24-year-old mural beneath Camden Street bridge, which sparked the war, has also been mysteriously blacked out. While graffiti is a criminal offence, artists like Banksy, whose works regularly fetch hundreds of thousands of pounds, are often preserved. 

Both Camden Council and British Waterways have confirmed they have not removed the works.