This could be more evidence that Banksy WAS in Liverpool last week
Another artwork find is adding to the rumours that the world famous street artist was in the city
Liam Thorp
The theory that world famous street artist
Banksy was in Liverpool last week has gathered strength - after another work in his iconic style was found in the city.
On Friday we reported on a new mural which has appeared in Jamaica Street, which
appeared to hit back at the
removal of Banksy works elsewhere in the city and news that plans for a new gallery had been scrapped.
Now a music fan has come forward with what he believes is more evidence that Banksy was in the city at some point last week.
John Whitworth was one of 400 special guests who were in the city last week for a highly unusual book launch event being held by enigmatic electronic band the Justified Ancients of Mu Mu - also known as the KLF.
As part of a series of rituals and tasks being ordered by KLF founders Jimmy Cauty and Bill Drummond, those in attendance were told to look for 23 special items outside each of the venues being used for events across the city.
Music fan John Whitworth found this Banksy-style work when he was in Liverpool last week
It was during one of these hunts that Mr Whitworth, from Wakefield in Yorkshire, and his wife believe they may have grabbed hold of an original Banksy in the Baltic Triangle.
He said: “Me and my wife were outside Constellations on Wednesday lunchtime and we were looking for things. There was a load of plywood leant against a wall and my wife pulled one out and we saw it had this artwork on it.
“I immediately recognised the stencil as one of Banksy’s - called the Ghetto Rat, I think one of them went for £100,000 at auction.
“It would be just the type of thing for the KLF to do to leave something like that lying around - and I know that Jimmy Cauty has worked with Banksy before” (the two worked together on Banksy’s Dismaland attraction in attraction at Weston-super-Mare.)
After putting the work safely in their car, the couple then went for tea at Leaf in Bold Street, where coincidentally they were sat next to KLF member Jimmy Cauty.
Mr Whitworth said he had to mention it, adding: “I just told Jimmy what I had found and that I thought it could be a real Banksy - he just smiled and said ‘that’s very, very interesting’”.
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When the music fan saw the ECHO article about the potential Banksy work in Jamaica Street several days later, he said his theory that the street artist was in Liverpool grew stronger.
The latest addition in the Baltic triangle - a mural with a Banksy mention
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He added: “I just said ‘no way’ - It was right next to the piece that we found - I think there is a really good chance he was in Liverpool following the KLF this weekend.
“I think it would make sense if he was one of the 400.”
Mr Whitworth has attempted to reach Banksy’s representatives to try and find out if the work he found is genuine.
