A mystery man has appeared in a photograph on Banksy’s website confirming a new mural in Totterdown is the artist’s latest work.
The image, which has also been shared on the artist’s Instagram account with the caption ‘Aachoo!!’, shows an elderly woman sneezing her false teeth out, facing up the hill from the bottom of steep Vale Street.
The man, who appears in the image on Banksy’s website, is lying on the pavement holding an inside-out umbrella, as though he has been blown uphill by the force of the woman’s sneeze. He was seen posing for the snap at around 11am today (December 10).
The photographer was overheard to say “It's part of the gag isn't it? He's being blown back by the sneeze”.
The image reached more than 2,600 likes on Instagram within 24 seconds of being posted.
Residents have already taken measures to try to protect the artwork, with Fred Loosemore, who sold the house last week, covering it with a made-to-measure piece of Perspex with his friend, Sam Hunt.
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As crowds began to gather, an onlooker was heard to call out to the man on the ground: "You may have a cold bum Rob, but you're making art."
Vale Street is the steepest street in England and is home to an annual egg-rolling contest.
Do you know who the mystery man is? Email imogen.mcguckin@reachplc.com
