Banksy mural going on public display after charity gains ownership

The work, known as ‘Art Buff’, was painted on the wall of an amusement arcade in Folkestone (PA)

A mural thought to have been painted by street artist Banksy is set to go on public display after a charity won a court fight over its ownership.

The work, which features an elderly woman and is known as “Art Buff”, was spray-painted on the wall of an amusement arcade in Folkestone, Kent, about a year ago, a judge was told. The Creative Foundation – an arts charity based in Folkestone – and arcade bosses disputed ownership.

Mr Justice Arnold ruled in favour of the charity after a High Court hearing, a decision that could impact on future ownership battles. Creative Foundation bosses said the owner of the building where the arcade is based had given the mural to them. A firm called Dreamland, which runs the arcade and is a tenant, said they owned the mural under the terms of a lease.

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“We are thrilled,” said Creative Foundation chief executive Alastair Upton. “I would hope that Banksy is pleased too.”