Latest ‘mindless’ attack of "Banksy" artwork

Published: 19th May, 2011
by DAN CARRIER

IT has become a landmark in Belsize Village, attracting visitors who believe it may be the work of guerilla street artist Banksy – but this week an image of Primrose Hill shopkeeper June Beechey was daubed with graffiti.

The image was one of three that appeared overnight in Camden last summer, created by a mystery artist. It was taken from a New Journal photograph accompanying an article about her impending retirement from the Regents Park Road shop she had run for six decades. 

One image, in Dartmouth Park Road, Dartmouth Park, has been whitewashed. Another, round the corner from her now-closed shop in Primrose Hill, was vandalised three weeks ago.

Now, this last picture – which residents had covered with a piece of Perspex for protection – has been attacked by someone who uses the name “Art Fag”.

Tory councillor Chris Knight, who has asked the Town Hall’s cleaning team to repair the damage, said: “It is a real shame – this is a decent piece of street art defaced by some mindless individual.

“It has become a real local landmark and every day you spot someone coming to take a picture of it.”