Street artist Portus Abonae (@pa_stencilart on Instagram) has claimed a new Banksy-style mural in Bristol. The artwork has appeared on the side of a building in Easton and there was speculation it could be by Banksy.
The piece is located at the bottom of Colston Road in the east Bristol neighbourhood. It shows three children - two are looking upwards into the sky, and a smaller child facing the wall, waving a stick with one of the T-shirts the artist designed in aid of the 'Colston Four' attached to it.
Banksy has has not yet confirmed or denied whether the artwork is from him. But a logo that appears to be a signature at the bottom of the work that reads PRTVS ABONA, raised questions as to who the artist is despite the work being in Banksy's signature style.
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In a post on Instagram, street artist Portus Abonae (@pa_stencilart on Instagram) has claimed the mural. Her account posted pictures of the mural with a caption describing the image.
The caption describes the context of the image, writing: "Brazenly borrowing images from the artist Banksy, and carrying his tradition of location, local relevance, and public comment, this shows three children of mixed backgrounds pledging allegiance to his fundraising tee shirt."
The caption concludes: "Bristol has long been the vanguard city for public and community art, taking art out of the hands of the elite and making it for all to appreciate, look at, and enjoy." The logo at the bottom of the mural appears to match the name 'Portus Abnoae'.
In her post Portus Abonae writes: "This is celebrating the wonderful diversity in the Bristol area, in community and public works of art. Recently this street was renamed Colston 4 rd, and this is a small mural to celebrate this.
"Brazenly borrowing images from the artist Banksy, and carrying his tradition of location, local relevance, and public comment, this shows three children of mixed backgrounds pledging allegiance to his fundraising tee shirt. The Tee shirt that helped the freedom fighters who tore down the statue of a slave trader.
"Jake Skuse, Rhian Graham, Milo Ponsford, and Sage Willoughby, were tried for pulling down the statue of Colston, the 17th-century slave trader from a plinth, dragging it to Bristol harbour and throwing it in the River Avon at Pero's bridge. Many other statues of slave traders around the country were removed as a consequence of the actions of these brave young people.
"They were acquitted of all charges. Bristol has long been the vanguard city for public and community art, taking art out of the hands of the elite and making it for all to appreciate, look at, and enjoy. "
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