It’s been used to weigh down temporary traffic lights for years and years, but now someone has finally noticed something on a concrete block which might make it very valuable indeed.
For there, albeit faded and scratched, on the side of the block is, unmistakably, an image of Banksy’s famous Flower Thrower Peaceful Protester.
No one is quite sure when the work was sprayed on the block, but if it is very old, it could well be a genuine Banksy.
It was spotted on August 23 by none other than John Nation, the youth worker who set up the Dug Out at Barton Hill Youth Club, which spawned Bristol’s first generation of street artists.
And now, the mere thought it could be a Banksy has seen the block covered for protection.
Mr Nation, who now takes tourists on walking tours of Bristol’s best street art, said he thinks it is a piece by Banksy, and is amazed no one has spotted it before.
“I was casually strolling to my Bristol Street Art Tours meeting spot when I came across this,” he wrote on Facebook, before asking people what they thought.
“I had to look twice, it looked a very familiar image.
“I think possibly it has been on this concrete block for anywhere between 15 and 20 years. It’s either been in storage in a depot or been out on the streets before and nobody has seen it,” he added.
Mr Nation said he wasn’t sure of its authenticity, but there were a few clues. “First of all there’s the test spray spot, some over spray to edges, signs it was rushed.
“It’s also a good representation of his work, looking faded and not of a high standard quality wise. Usually, fakes are noticeably derivative and lacking detail,” he added.
The work was then covered up over the weekend, and Bristol Live understands it is due to be removed shortly to a safe location.
Bristol Live has contacted Bristol City Council about the block, and is awaiting a response.
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