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Freezer removed from Margate Banksy for second time

By: James Pallant jpallant@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 10:39, 16 February 2023

Updated: 14:08, 16 February 2023

A new Banksy piece on the side of a house in Margate is set to be cut away and could be displayed in the town's Turner Gallery.

Building contractors have been instructed to safely remove the artwork, which depicts a woman with a black eye pushing a man into a fly-tipped freezer placed in front of the wall.

The freezer was controversially taken away by Thanet District Council on Tuesday but was later returned, only to be removed again last night by art handlers contracted by Red Eight Gallery.

It is now in storage ahead of being put on display when the accompanying street art - which raises awareness of domestic violence against women - is removed.

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In another turn of events, residents have taken it upon themselves to add a different freezer against the wall this morning.

Residents have now added a fridge-freezer in front of the art themselves. Picture: Karen Keen Young

The CEO of the London-based gallery, Julian Usher, said: "I can confirm that we have been instructed by the house owner to handle the safe removal, promotion and sale of the work.

"However, they have stipulated that they wish a local charity supporting prevention of violence against women to benefit, along with the piece being used to raise awareness in Margate and nationally."

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Mr Usher says it is impractical for the art piece, which has been covered with protective perspex, to remain in Park Place, where it appeared on Monday.

The Banksy popped up overnight on Sunday, in Park Place, Margate

“We want to make sure that the piece raises awareness of domestic abuse and violence against women - the message that the piece was created to send in the first place,” said Mr Usher.

“So we’re going to remove the piece from the wall because obviously it won’t be conducive for it to remain where it is currently.

“We are waiting to hear back from the Turner Gallery to see if they can display is for a time and we’d also like it to be exhibited in London.

“The owner of the house where the piece is, is very much of the onion that they want to use this to raise awareness of the issue the piece is about and sell it to raise money for a local charity that works to fight violence against women.”

The Banksy in Margate has been protected. Picture: Jack Murphy-Delo

“We’re currently talking to structural engineers about how to remove the piece. It’s doable but it’s complicated - ultimately we’d have to cut a 2x3 metre section out of the wall.

Mr Usher also explained how the council made alterations to the freezer, as they removed it on "safety grounds".

“The council have been very helpful in the process of making it safe," he said.

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“It hadn’t been made safe because it still had the gas in it, so they removed the gas.

“We will work with the council moving forward to get the part of the wall removed - it’s no small feat and there will have to be crane and flat-bed lorry.

“But it’s going to be some weeks before anyone is in a position to start that process, and the house is tenanted by a family so we’re going to have to speak to them

“Hopefully some good will come out of all this and there can be some money raised for charity.

Thanet District Council removing the chest freezer from the Banksy artwork in Margate. Picture: Dan Bambridge-Higgins

When asked how much the piece might go for, Mr Usher said: “Well, how long is a piece of string.”

The art street art has sparked a lengthy saga.

As onlookers swarmed to Park Place, Thanet District Council drove straight past a pile of fly tipping which has "festered there for months" and dismantled the piece, sparking anger from residents.

The owner of the house previously told KentOnline she was ""trying to balance the needs of the tenant and the local art community".

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