Controversial Banksy Dinghy Art in Gorleston Could Be Sold
A seafront mural created by street artist Banksy in Gorleston-on-Sea could be sold off by Great Yarmouth Borough Council. The artwork, depicting two children clinging to an inflatable dinghy, sparked controversy and was initially painted over due to its sensitive parallels with a local tragedy.
The "Great British Spraycation" and its Aftermath
The Gorleston piece was part of Banksy's "Great British Spraycation" series in the summer of 2021, which saw him create ten works across Norfolk and Suffolk. The mural was located on the side of Gorleston's model yacht pond.
The artwork gained notoriety because officials decided to paint it over, in light of the death of Ava-May Littleboy, who died in July 2018 when an inflatable trampoline burst at Gorleston beach. The council stated: "We thank Banksy for all the wonderful artwork and fully appreciate these circumstances would not have been known by the artist."
Removal and Restoration Costs
Despite the initial cover-up, the council decided to remove the entire wall section to restore the artwork. This process cost £14,105. Repairing the wall following the removal cost an additional £7,623, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
The image was also removed from Banksy's official website. The council initially considered displaying the artwork at the Time and Tide Museum but deemed it insensitive due to the association with Ava-May Littleboy's death.
Proposed Sale and Future Plans
Great Yarmouth Borough Council is now proposing to sell the artwork via auction or private sale. This proposal will be considered at a council meeting on October 7th. Cabinet members will review a recommendation to value and sell the piece. The money acquired by the sale will be ring-fenced for spending on community projects in the Gorleston area, the council has announced.
