It’s back! The art blanked by Camden Council

Published: 14 October, 2010
by DAN CARRIER

LANDMARK street art painted over by Camden Council without the permission of the people who had commissioned it has re-appeared.

The two images, one above a bus top at the north end of Kentish Town Road, and the other on the corner of Gaisford Street and Kentish Town Road, were created by street artist Mr P. 

After staff employed by the Town Hall removed them three months ago, he was asked to bring them back. 

The artist, who went to Acland Burghley school, has won international recognition with exhibitions in Amsterdam and works displayed in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York. He told the New Journal: “The owners of both sites never knew why they had been removed, and they were more than happy for me to re-do them. 

“The way they were painted over was  ridiculous. I hope this time my artwork will stay up. 

“So many people support the street art in Kentish Town. I think having this street art helps give Kentish Town a distinct identity. Everyone enjoys seeing it.”

Michael Ptootch, who runs hair salon and art gallery Flaxon Ptootch, commissioned one of the pieces. 

He said: “I instigated it – I put the scaffolding up and paid for the paint. 

“It was crazy that they painted over it in the first place. It is a landmark and Mr P and his friends have given Kentish Town a bit of a look. The council had better leave this one alone.”

Mr Ptootch has been backed by artist Leanne Gilbert who lives in Gaisford Street where one of the pieces can be found and who has a show opening today (Thursday) in Mr Ptootch’s salon-gallery.

She said: “It is amazing to think an arbitrary decision over street art can be made like this. Would they do it if it was a Banksy? 

“There should be a committee made up of local people, businesses, and art critics who make a decision as to whether street art should stay or go.”

A council spokesman would not be drawn on how a decision is reached over whether Mr P’s work is considered street art or graffiti.

“Graffiti is when words or images are written on surfaces without the owner’s permission,” the Town Hall spokesman added. 

“It can have a profound negative effect on the perception of an area, for example if the message is racist or sexist and the council dedicates resources to cleaning graffiti from public places so that residents can continue to enjoy a cleaner and safer environment.

“The council will be discussing the work on the wall with the occupant of 369-377 Kentish Town Road to confirm that the owner gave permission.”