Gorleston seafront Banksy artwork is to be conserved

Following Great Yarmouth Borough Council’s recent decision to approve plans to better safeguard one of Banksy’s Gorleston works a specialist conservator has now been on site to carry out a detailed survey of the piece.

The eye-catching art is in a shelter and shows a grabber.

The expert assessment marks the first stage in identifying the best ways to preserve the much-loved mural from the effects of weathering and potential vandalism, while ensuring it can continue to be enjoyed in its original location.

Possible conservation measures under consideration include a new Perspex-style protective cover and a specialist transparent varnish designed to guard against graffiti or damage.

Work to preserve the Gorleston seafront Banksy is under way (Image: Great Yarmouth Borough Council)

Work to preserve the Banksy on Gorleston seafront is under way (Image: Great Yarmouth Borough Council)

A council spokesperson said: “We’re committed to preserving this unique piece of street art as part of our cultural story.

“This assessment is an important step in ensuring Banksy’s work can remain a lasting feature of Gorleston’s seafront for years to come.”

While at that recent meeting, councillors agreed to spend at least £5,000 on further protection measures to help ensure the Gorleston beach shelter remains a popular landmark for locals and visitors alike, it was agreed another piece of Banksy art was to be sold.

The artwork earmarked for sale by the council, which depicts two children drifting skywards in a dinghy being overinflated by an adult, is strongly believed to be part of Banksy’s ‘Great British Spraycation’ series, which saw him create 10 works in the region.

The Banksy graffiti art on Lower Promenade in Gorleston taken in 2021 (Image: Danielle Booden)

Lise and Sue, from Essex, with the Banksy graffiti at Lower Promenade in Gorleston in 2021 (Image: Danielle Booden)

It appeared at Gorleston’s yacht pond in 2021, and other artworks within the series have already been sold, raking in huge sums of at least £2m.

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However, officials are sceptical that it will reach similar high figures.

This is because the piece has not been verified as being by the mysterious artist by Pest Control, the only organisation able to officially do so.

Banksy initially included it in his online marketing material for the series but later disowned it after it caused upset due to it appearing to echo the death of Ava-May Littleboy.

The three-year-old girl suffered a fatal head injury in 2018 after being thrown into the air when an inflatable trampoline blew up on Gorleston beach.