Locals unimpressed as Banksy mural in Islington covered with plastic sheeting and wooden boards

Measures to prevent vandalism, brought in after the new work was defaced days after it appeared, haven’t gone down well with residents who say the artwork can no longer be appreciated

The new Banksy mural in Islington has been covered with plastic sheeting and surrounded by wooden boards to protect it from vandals.

The mural had been splashed with white paint only days after it appeared on the side of a residential building on Hornsey Road in Finsbury Park on March 18.

The anonymous street artist claimed the mural as his own in an Instagram post after it drew crowds and attracted speculation.

The artwork features swathes of bright green paint sprayed onto the building behind a cut-back tree, creating the impression of being its foliage, with a stencil of a person holding a pressure hose.

Boarding and sheeting that was put up on Wednesday follows “temporary measures” put in place by Islington Council, including fencing and regular checks from Park Patrol officers to manage crowds and help protect the artwork.

But the introduction of wooden boards and plastic sheeting haven’t gone down well with locals - who claim it makes it difficult to see the artwork properly.

Local artist Daniel Lloyd-Morgan, 60, told the Standard:  “It’s crazy. All that glare off the plastic. You can not actually see because of the reflection. 

“It’s got an environmental message and the plastic is the complete opposite. 

“It’s the opposite of the message Banksy was trying to convene. It’s just worse every layer they put on.

“Every day it’s like a circus. It’s like a chain reaction since he first did it.”

Diane Punter, 58, from Archway, said: “Could they have not done it in a way that we could see it? Not with a big bit of wood covering it up?

“I understand they want to protect it because it’s been vandalised but they have got to do it in a way that you can see it.”

Helen Gooding, 59, from Archway, said: “When you walk up and you won’t be able to see it at all.

“That’s the whole meaning of it. That’s supposed to be the foliage behind the bare tree.”

An Islington Council spokesperson said: “The Banksy artwork has attracted huge crowds, and there is a need to protect the art and local residents from the impact of visitor numbers.

“The clear plastic and wooden frame over the artwork was installed by the owner of the building, not by the council.“

“We’ve had a lot of concerns from our residents about disruption from the numbers of visitors to the artwork, which is right outside their homes.

“To give people more security and privacy, and to protect the tree, we’re installing a hoarding, which will include clear plastic panels to protect the artwork and allow clear views.“

“We will monitor and review arrangements at the site, and will continue to explore future solutions with the building owner so people can enjoy the artwork.” Alex Georgiou, of family-run estate agents Alex Marks who own the property, told The Independent: “We’re not so worried about the plaster degrading but more the idle vandals.”

He reportedly laughed when he heard a reported £19 million price tag had been put on the building since Banksy unveiled the mural.

He added: “Do you think it’s worth £19 million? Listen, if you find someone who is willing to pay that much - we will take it.”

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