Art
Possible 'Banksy' artwork appears on Reading prison wall – BBC News
An artwork bearing the hallmarks of street artist Banksy has appeared on the side of Reading Prison overnight.
The picture shows a prisoner – possibly resembling famous inmate Oscar Wilde – escaping on a rope made of bedsheets tied to a typewriter.
Campaigners have been fighting to see the former jail turned into an arts hub rather than sold off for housing.
The “guerrilla artist” has not yet claimed the work but an expert said it did “appear to be a new Banksy”.
The jail famously housed Wilde between 1895 and 1897 and was immortalised by his poem Ballad of Reading Gaol during his stay, which reflected on the brutality of the Victorian penal system.
He was convicted after his affair with Lord Alfred Douglas was exposed.
The prison has been derelict since 2013 and was put up for sale by the government in 2019.
However, a deal to sell the Grade II-listed building to developers fell through last year and Reading council said it hoped to revive its bid to turn it into an arts complex.
Hollywood actors Sir Kenneth Branagh, Natalie Dormer and Dame Judi Dench are among the stars who have lent their support to the campaign.
Banksy expert and vice-chancellor of Arts University Bournemouth, Prof Paul Gough, described the artwork as “pretty compelling” and said the quality of the painting suggested it was done by someone “who knows how to paint and has got a lot of practice at painting up a scaffold in the dead of night”.
He added: “At the moment it would take a good copier to get that right.”
Discussing the artwork’s message, he said: “It’s possibly a comment on the prison’s potential use as an arts centre, but the fact that it’s got a type-writer and that it’s all about paper and writing might be some sort of commentary on what’s happening with news media and Facebook.”
Vince John, from the 1loveart gallery in Bristol, which sells urban and street art, said: “I believe this is an example of Banksy’s street work at its best, being both humorous and politically poignant. A great piece of work and a brilliant social commentary.”
The art curator said he thought it referenced Oscar Wilde and could be a “nod of encouragement for the use of the building as a cultural and arts centre… now it has its crowd-puller and star exhibit to get things moving in the right direction”.
At the scene
Andre Rhoden-Paul, BBC South
Residents flocked in their droves to take in the new possible Banksy street art that appeared overnight on the wall of HMP Reading.
Many were asking each other if the graffiti had been confirmed as genuine or not.
But that did not stop them taking selfies with Reading’s latest attraction, which was stencilled on the towering brick wall under a seemingly out-of-use CCTV camera.
People passing by in cars also craned their necks out of windows to see what the fuss was about.
Toby Davies, artistic director of Reading-based Rabble Theatre, said if it is genuine “it’s amazing that Banksy has recognised the cultural significance of Reading’s extraordinary gaol”.
He added: “In the right hands, this gaol will evolve Reading into an internationally recognised historical and cultural destination, built on the values of acceptance and diversity. Dare I say it, it looks like Banksy agrees.”
Prof Gough added: “It draws attention to the town, it brings people out on the street, they then have a conversation and so public art is suddenly given a foreground at a time when people do want that level of diversion – and I think that’s terrific.”
Reading resident Marcus Edgar said he thought the artwork was a great way of raising awareness and “keeping that campaign alive and not selling it off to some developer”.
Eloise Wylie agreed: “If it is real then that’s really good. It’s quite significant and really nice to support that campaign.”
Reading East MP Matt Rodda said: “I’d like to thank Banksy, or whoever else painted this, for their support for the campaign to save Reading Gaol… This unique historic building should be saved for future generations.”
The Ministry of Defence, which owns the building, has not yet responded to a BBC request for comment.
Follow BBC South on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to south.newsonline@bbc.co.uk.
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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone BBC.com
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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.
The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.
Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”
With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.
The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.
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