It’s been over 6½ years since the mysterious graffiti legend left his mark in our city. But what, asks our illicit artwork correspondent Angus Young, is it up to?
What were you up to in January 2018? You might have been still scratching your head wondering why Hull’s year as the UK City of Culture ended with a whimper rather than a bang. But arty types didn’t have long to ponder what was going to happen next. After a clandestine overnight operation, Britain’s most famous anonymous street artist left his latest work on the deck of a redundant road bridge spanning the River Hull.
Banksy’s Draw The Raised Bridge featured a small child wielding a toy sword above his head and prompted crowds to flock to Scott Street Bridge. I particularly liked the colander the kid was wearing as a makeshift helmet. When the initial excitement had died down, the question of what happens next started to be asked.
The bridge belonged to the city council but it had been closed to traffic since 1994 because of its deteriorating condition. Since then, it has been left in a raised position as if forever allowing boats to pass underneath. However by the time Banksy popped up, the council was slowly going through the decision-making process to dismantle the Grade II-listed bridge amid concerns it was now in imminent risk of collapse.
There was early drama when vandals struck and defaced part of the artwork, covering it with white paint. Luckily, window cleaner Jason Fanthorpe quickly stepped forward to clean it up before the paint fully dried and the council subsequently installed a protective plastic screen over it.
Nine months later the artwork was carefully cut into three pieces and removed by the council before being placed into storage with a promise that it would be placed on public display. Speaking at the time, the council’s portfolio holder for regeneration Daren Hale said: “We are absolutely delighted that we have managed to save our very own Banksy and we look forward to having it back for public viewing as soon as practically possible.”
Eight years later, we’re still waiting for a glimpse of the lad with his colander helmet. So what’s going on?
In 2023 the council confirmed it intended to move Banksy’s artwork into a new permanent home in Trinity Market. A year later the authority said surveys and reports were being carried out on the proposed move. Since then, not a lot.
As such, here at Curiosity Towers we regularly get asked the big question – when is the Hull Banksy actually going to be put back on public display?
A very helpful council spokesperson couldn’t give us a date but did provide us with the following statement. “The Banksy is currently held in secure storage ahead of being placed in Trinity Market. Specialist casing is required in order to safely and securely display an object of this size and nature. The council is therefore working with specialist contractors to undertake this work as soon as possible and will provide further updates when available.”
Angus Young