A mural has popped on a brick wall in Leeds - and one man thinks it could be a Bansky piece.
An image of a Big Issue seller dressed in a Santa outfit has appeared on a corner in Hyde Park, and one student from Leeds University reckons "it's very potentially a Banksy".
There has been no confirmation that the art artwork on the corner of Pearson Avenue and Brudenell Road was created by the elusive Bristol artist, but the student has his suspicions.
It would not be the first time Banksy's art has popped up in a different UK city.
Banksy's usual method of revealing his work is by posting on his official Instagram account but he has not yet posted anything about this particular painting.
The student said: "I assumed it was Banksy as the stylistic approach is similar – stencil clearly used, colours and shadows very detailed, makes a reference to societal issues.
"Poignantly the graffiti depicts Santa Claus as a Big Issue distributor; this is a job usually given to help homeless people get some form of wage and is quite striking in this respect.
"Of course with everything that’s going on right now it seems a bit of a hint to the fact that in these circumstances even those who are seemingly omnipotent may fall into redundancy.
"Possibly also a take on the Rethink. Reskill. Reboot. campaign by gov earlier this year as, like artists etc, his is a job that brings joy to the masses.
He added: "My assumption that it was a Banksy is based off the fact that another one of his recent pieces was on the end of my friends’ road, Rothesay Avenue, in Nottingham’s student area.
"Who knows, maybe he’s trying to highlight the plight of the North in what has been an abysmal year of coronavirus action by the UK government that has largely left the North unappreciated.
"Although, I have since noticed the “Marra” tag by the shoe, after a quick Google some people have reported being frauded by an Alex Marra or Alexander Mara from 2016-2019 while attempting to buy Banksy prints."
