GLASGOW City Council has painted over an artwork which people believed was by Banksy – insisting it was not really by the world-famous artist.
Speculation surrounded a small painting of a rat banging a broken drum with “God Save the King” written on it after it appeared in an alley near Glasgow’s Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA).
The rat, which was wearing a Union flag hat and had been caught in a trap baited by a copy of the Sun newspaper, was initially painted over before being revealed again, according to The Times.
Trapped rat wearing a sash, UJ hat, and a bust Lambeg, baited with a copy of The Sun. Springfield Ct, Glasgow.
— Brian Noonan (@ZaffyBus) June 21, 2023
Reeks o' Banksy. pic.twitter.com/Tuamjszy9o
The artwork in Springfield Court was believed by many to have been by Banksy, who usually does not verify his street art and is currently holding an exhibition at GoMA.
However, it was then spray-painted over with a blue scrawl by an unknown vandal.
It has since been painted over again by the council – which insists it was not a real Banksy.
Although they would not be drawn on how they had verified their claim that the piece was not by the famous artist, a Glasgow City Council spokesperson said the plan was to cover it up.
They said in a statement: “The image has been removed.
“We understand it was not by Banksy.
“Anyone who wants to be certain of viewing a true Banksy should head to the exhibition at GoMA.”
Banksy's team later confirmed that the piece was not by the artist.
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