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Who Needs Banksy

An extraordinary organic explosion of street art in Port Talbot, inspired by Banksy, sees the creation of over 40 new murals that transform the town.

When a mural by the world’s best-known street artist, Banksy, appeared overnight in Port Talbot, it caused a sensation - but also a problem. Despite a local campaign, Season's Greetings was sold to an art dealer and removed. But the legacy of Banksy is now to be seen everywhere across the steel town, with an explosion of street art and murals inspired by the Banksy.

Local people have been encouraged to take up the spray cans, including steelworker Ryan Davies, who has a water tower at the steel plant as his canvas. Artists have been commissioned to come to the town and create new works honouring local heroes like Michael Sheen and Richard Burton, and first-time artist Tassia Haines is creating a seven-metre pink dragon on a gable end - despite having stage four breast cancer.

Port Talbot is not short of walls to draw on. The underpasses become a space to tell the history of the town, including the story of the Jamaican community. And on the site of the original Banksy, a new mural has appeared, drawing attention to air pollution in an ironic homage to the Banksy original.

Six months after the Banksy left Port Talbot, the town has become the street art capital of Wales.

29 minutes

Last on

Fri 19 Jul 2024 19:30

Credits

Role Contributor
Executive Producer Chris Rushton
Production Company Gritty

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