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Banksy strikes in Margate with Valentine's Day Mascara work

08:18, 14 February 2023

updated: 14:24, 14 February 2023

A new piece of artwork on a Kent wall has been confirmed to be a genuine Banksy.

Rumours swarmed through Margate after residents spotted the graffiti on the back of a building in Grosvenor Place.

The Margate Banksy, Valentine's Day Mascara. Picture: Danielle Quinn
The Margate Banksy, Valentine's Day Mascara. Picture: Danielle Quinn

Titled 'Valentine's Day Mascara', the new piece shows a woman in a retro dress, complete with kitchen apron and Marigolds, smiling and winking.

Looking closer, the lady can be seen to have a bruised eye and missing teeth, suggesting she has been hit.

Sticking out from a fridge-freezer – believed to have been placed against the wall purposely – are a pair of legs, suggesting the man has been dumped there by his wife.

The work's title is a play on the Saint Valentine's Day Massacre, the 1929 murders of seven members and associates of Chicago's North Side Gang.

Pictures of the artwork were shared on social media, with many quick to speculate if the renowned activist-cum-artist may have once again graced a Kent wall with his work.

'Banksy' artwork was also spotted in Sandwich
'Banksy' artwork was also spotted in Sandwich

One resident said: "I am absolutely convinced this is Banksy. I would be very shocked if it turned out not to be."

Another eagle-eyed local even claimed to have spotted the person responsible.

"This was done yesterday morning, there were a couple of gentlemen – one doing the work, and another one videoing him," she added.

However, many were quick to dismiss the idea, with some pointing out the official website dedicated to the famous graffiti artist has not been updated to claim the artwork.

"Stencil art, yeah, but Banksy? Nah," commented one observer.

"They wouldn’t do the dress in solid square gridding like that, the woman’s feet are ignored… The detail just isn’t high-end enough."

Another added: "Whether a Banksy or not, I love it! Certainly looks like a Banksy style."

There have been a number of other potential Banksy artworks spotted Kent recently, including a festive version of an old classic spotted in Sandwich.

'Symbol of Brexit', the Banksy Mural in Dover, before it was controversially painted over
'Symbol of Brexit', the Banksy Mural in Dover, before it was controversially painted over
The Banksy artwork in Folkestone was given protective framing. Picture: Wayne McCabe
The Banksy artwork in Folkestone was given protective framing. Picture: Wayne McCabe

The county has played host to the genuine and confirmed article on more than one occasion, both in Folkestone and in Dover.

His Brexit-themed Dover piece portrayed the image of a workman on a ladder chipping away one of the stars of the EU flag.

The artwork, which was valued at £1 million, was controversially painted over, leaving a giant white square in its place.

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