Save the Hull Banksy. But save the BHS Mural Too.

Hull Banksy

For a fleeting moment, Hull has the attention of global media again. An artwork featuring a boy brandishing a wooden sword with a pencil attached to the end appeared on an unused, permanently raised bridge in the city. Draw the raised bridge is his call. Via his official Instagram account, superstar street artist Banksy confirmed the work was his. A Hull Banksy was born. 

A tagger defaced the artwork almost immediately. A heroic local window cleaner did his best to wash off the tag.

Local fans are campaigning to preserve the artwork. But opinion in the city is divided. Seemingly along generational lines.

The Hull Banksy

Conservative councillor John Abbott called for the artwork to be removed. Declaring snootily that Banksy’s work could not be compared with ‘real art’ in the city’s main art gallery. The Banksy, he said, ‘should be scrubbed off’.

Dead Bod

Councillor Abbott would, I assume, use similar words to describe that other well-known urban artwork in Hull … the preserved, much loved, Dead Bod? Originally painted on a corrugated iron shed in the city’s Alexandra Dock, Dead Bod is now proudly displayed in Humber Street Gallery.

Surprisingly, given its shabby, uncared-for, condition, Scott Street Bridge is Grade II Listed.  Recognised by Historic England as an emblem of Hull’s dying maritime tradition.

I say save the Hull Banksy. The Scott Street Bridge was already covered in regular graffiti. Now it has world renowned graffiti.  Overnight the city has a high-calibre new attraction. Thankfully Hull City Council has recognised the artwork’s significance and, building on Hull’s years as UK City of Culture, are looking for ways to preserve it. Bravo.

As for Councillor what-his-name, he may not like it, but his comment betrays his lack of understanding of contemporary culture. Sir, educate yourself. Take a look at the interwebs. Banksy is a significant international artist. A cultural phenomenon. This wooden-sword-brandishing boy is a gift. Embrace it. Banksy has put Hull on the cultural map again. Surely that can only be a good thing?

Save the Hull Banksy. But save the BHS Mural Too.

The BHS Mural

Across the city, a different battle rages. Another, arguably more important, artwork is at risk. The Three Ships mural. AKA The BHS Mural.

There is an enthusiastic, well-supported campaign to preserve the mural. According to the Change.org campaign site The Three Ships:

‘…has been a landmark in Hull since 1963.  It was commissioned by the Co-operative Society and designed by Wolverhampton artist Alan Boyson.  This large and iconic Italian glass mosaic mural immortalises the Hull fishing fleet. The face of the mural is composed of 4224-foot square slabs, each made up of 225 tiny glass cubes.’

For me, the mural is part of the fabric of the city. Evoking childhood memories of trips ‘to town’ with my mam and dad. The mural popped into view, between other buildings,  as we moved from shop to shop. To my younger self, this imposing facade had real permanence. An immovable part of the landscape.

The Three Ships mural (akaThe BHS Mural)

Unlike the Scott Street Bridge, the mural is not protected – no Heritage listing. Historic England deemed it not typical of the artists work and not specific to Hull. Yet the masts of the trawlers are recognisably Hull. Moreover, the mural was specifically commissioned by the Co-Op to commemorate Hull’s long and previously prosperous maritime history.

Hull City Council are doing their best

Hull was devastated by The Blitz. German bombs rained down on the city. Innumerable cultural landmarks were razed. In that context, its disappointing this iconic artwork is at risk.

Sometimes in these situations, cultural treasures are lost because local councils kowtow to cashed-up developers. Not the case here. Hull City Council has, and is, working hard to preserve the mural. Proposals to develop this area of the city include a caveat to preserve the mural. I applaud this. But heritage listing is also needed. Legal protection. Only that will preserve this important symbol of local cultural identity for this, and future, generations.

Sign the petition

Add your name to the petition to save The Three Ships, aka the BHS Mural, here.

You might also like How successful was Hull UK City of Culture? A view from Down Under

Sources

Banksy feature image: http://www.nme.com/news/calls-banksys-latest-artwork-removed-hull-scott-street-bridge-2230071

Banksy Hull artwork: http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/news/banksy-hull-mural-new-art-confirmed-draw-the-raised-bridge-brexit-instagram-a8180771.html

Three Ships image: Twitter.com