New Banksy art 'Mobile Lovers' removed with crowbar, hoarded in youth club
New 'owner' of art work hopes to sell it for a fortune
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Banksy's latest official artwork, being dubbed 'Mobile Lovers', has been prized off a Bristol wall by an opportunistic local with a crowbar.
Broad Plain Boys Club manager Dennis Stinchcombe removed the image of a man and a woman distracted by their smartphones from Clement Street, believed to be on plywood, and hopes to sell it for hundreds of thousands of pounds.
The boys club is now the unlikely gallery for the artwork (it's hanging right next to the toilets), with Stinchcombe planning to use the money to save the venue from closure.
"I think it's almost like a gift from out the sky, it really is amazing," he told the BBC.
"But is it yours to sell?" reporter Jon Kay shot back.
"I think Banksy's give it to us as a gift (sic), yes, It's left out there for somebody to do something with, and I think I'm doing something with it."
"Is it your wall?" Kay added.
"It's a wall," Stinchcombe replied.
Banksy, who posted an image of the mural on his website on Monday, was allegedly picked up on the club's CCTV cameras (screen grab above), which ironically was set up to deter graffiti artists.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments