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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Amber Hicks

Banksy mural hidden by scaffolding for months is finally unveiled

A Banksy mural, covered up by builders' hoarding and scaffolding for the past few months, has been unveiled in the heart of London's Notting Hill area.

The work - known variously as the Graffiti Painter, The Painter or Velazquez - shows an artist, thought to be Spanish painter Diego Velazquez, with an easel writing "Banksy" in large red letters.

Drawn on the corner of Acklam and Portbello Road in 2008, it was covered after developer Enstar Capital began refurbishing the property to make luxury flats.

"It is a lovely feature for the building and a lovely feature in Notting Hill which has retained its Londonness," Enstar Capital Chief Executive Simon Lyons told Reuters.

The Banksy mural known as The Painter (REUTERS)
It first appeared in 2008 (REUTERS)

"One of the reasons I bought the building was that there was a Banksy there - it gave it that iconic profile.

"So while I think the prices for Banksy are nonsensical, you could say I was a fan in some ways."

Enstar originally wanted to move the Banksy but decided it would have been too risky, so it remains in the same place and is covered by glass and is floodlit.

It has been covered with glass to preserve it (REUTERS)
It has been officially unveiled (REUTERS)

Luxury flats at the property are worth at least £950,000 pounds for a one-bedroom, Mr Lyons said.

He added: "Would I love it if Banksy came and did it on the building where I live? Probably not."

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