The Banksy Valentine’s Day Mascara art work, currently on the wall of a private home in Margate’s Park Place, will be moved to Dreamland.
The amusement park has revealed that it has been asked to host the work, meaning it will remain in Margate and be publicly accessible.
Eddie Kemsley, CEO of Dreamland Margate, said: “The arrival of Banksy’s latest artwork in Margate has caused a real stir! Everyone in the town is really excited that he has chosen Margate as the location for his latest work, and the fact that he is highlighting such an important issue only makes it more important.
“Imagine our surprise when here at Dreamland we got a call asking if we would be able to host the artwork. We jumped at the chance to help ensure that the piece could remain accessible and within the community.
“All the details are still being worked out, but we will work closely with the team of qualified experts to find a suitable location at Dreamland, where the public can enjoy this brilliant new addition to the Margate art scene.
“At Dreamland we are in a perfect position to support as the park is free to enter which means that during opening hours, the artwork will be accessible to anyone that wants to come and enjoy it.
“We understand that the current owner of the artwork is keen to raise money to help the amazing local charity, Oasis, which supports those that have been affected by domestic abuse, which Dreamland is 100% behind.
“We will assist the owner of the artwork and Red Eight Gallery on the logistics of how, when and where the piece will be moved and when everything has been finalised, further details will be announced.”
This isn’t Banksy’s first association with Dreamland. In November 2013 he visited an open day at the site arranged by people including Thanet artist Dan Thompson to mark the park’s move to public ownership.
He left a tag on the park comment wall which is now owned by the Dreamland Heritage Trust.
In 2015 he went on to create art project Dismaland in Weston-super-Mare in Somerset.
Thanet-based Oasis Domestic Abuse Service is the charity which will receive ‘a significant, six-figure sum’ from the sale of the art work.
Oasis chief exec Deborah Cartwright said: “Oasis is honoured to be the chosen domestic abuse charity to be supported by the sale of Banksy’s artwork ‘Valentine’s Day Mascara’. “The piece has been a timely and effective mechanism for raising awareness of the issues, impact and complexity of this crime.
“Our charity has worked tirelessly to support survivors in Kent and Medway for nearly 30 years – a period of time where the number of women killed by a current or ex-partner, and the number of domestic abuse victims seeking help of all genders, has risen.
“This gift therefore comes at a time of great need, with the cost of living making it easier for perpetrators to control, harm and constrict the lives of victims, and harder for those experiencing abuse to reach out for support.
“We wish charities like ours didn’t have to exist, but until we live in a world free from abuse, we will continue to fight this issue, to do all we can to support survivors and to make every donation go as far as it can.
“Donations of any size go a long way to sustain our vital work. A contribution from the proceeds of the sale of Banksy’s artwork to Oasis will provide an essential boost to our wide-ranging services, which we have developed to help survivors to escape, heal, rebuild their lives, and find their voice.
“We would like to thank Banksy the owner of the property where the artwork is situated and Red Eight Gallery for this generous and unexpected support.”
A statement from Red Eight Gallery says: “We are happy to confirm that the Banksy’s Valentine’s Day Mascara installation will be remaining in Margate for the foreseeable future.
“The renowned artwork will be relocated to Dreamland, where it will be available for public viewing. The fridge will be reunited with the wall, ensuring visitors can experience the artwork in its intended state.
“We are pleased to announce that, on behalf of the owners, a significant six-figure sum will be donated to Oasis Domestic Abuse Service in Margate when a buyer is found for Banksy’s Valentine’s Day Mascara installation. This generous donation allows the powerful message to be amplified and goes a tremendous way in supporting domestic abuse victims in Margate.
“We are deeply honoured to have been instructed by the owners to oversee the safe removal of the wall, and we are humbled to be involved in this journey that carries such profound significance. Our role in this process allows us to contribute to a meaningful cause and promote a powerful message for the people of Margate and beyond.”
The property owners from Sevenoaks are both involved with the arts.
The piece appeared on the wall of the property in Park Place (rear of Grosvenor Place) overnight on February 12/13 and originally showed a woman with a swollen shut eye and missing tooth with a man’s legs poking out from a chest freezer, alongside an upturned chair and a beer bottle. It is a comment on domestic violence.
The work used a chest freezer with a jammed open lid as a prop and this was removed by Thanet council on February 14 to be ‘made safe’ as it was on public land. Council workers returned the freezer to the site the following day but it was taken away yet again that night. A new protective covering was also put over the stencil work.
The freezer is being held in storage by Red Eight Gallery for ‘security’ purposes. They were called in by the owner of the property that the work has been stencilled on.
Red Eight Gallery chief exec Julian Usher said the gallery is in conversation with civil engineers and building contractors regarding the safe removal of the piece.
The gallery had originally approached Turner Contemporary to host the piece.
The news follows on the heels of a petition launched by resident Chris Joy calling for the mural to remain in Thanet which has attracted more than 200 signatures.
The work is expected to be in place at Dreamland in time for April 1 when the park reopens its rides and roller disco.
Domestic violence – get help
Find help information from Oasis Domestic Abuse service at http://www.oasisdaservice.org/get-help-now and click the ‘exit now’ button to erase all traces from your Internet history.
To get non-emergency domestic abuse support call Oasis’s helpline on 0800 917 9948 (Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 9am – 4.30pm) or email [email protected] if it’s safe to do so
In an emergency call 999. If you can’t speak, cough or tap the handset then press 55 on your phone – the police will know it’s an emergency.
Call Kent Domestic Abuse Services Victim Support on 0808 168 9276
The National Domestic Abuse Helpline is run by Refuge and offers free, confidential support 24 hours a day to victims and those who are worried about friends and loved ones. Telephone: 0808 2000 247
The Men’s Advice Line is a confidential helpline for male victims of domestic abuse and those supporting them.
Call 0808 801 0327.
“Only” the 9th “story” this week about the “art” – nothing else going on on Planet Thanet ?
I’ve written other stories this week but people also want to know what’s happening with the Banksy.
Is Dreamland now an art gallery as well? What will happen to it when Dreamland finally closes? Surely the Turner is the right place for it. .. or protected where it is.
Oh that’s so good for the charity and at least it will be safe yay
don’t count those chickens!
I do have to give credit to Kathy though, as credit where credits due, for the inclusion at the bottom of recent Banksy-gate articles regarding domestic violence/abuse and where victims can go to seek help – plus for the acceptance that both men and women can experience domestic abuse or violence. The merits of Banksy or “art” is always debatable, but if it draws attention to a worthwhile cause, then I’ll support it.
Just watched on the itv local news but I am totally confused. It’s going to dreamland which is free entry. The local charity is going to 100k ( which is great ) but what if the buyer doesn’t want to give the charity 100k ? And the buyer might not want to leave it at dreamland.
Plus they said the family will be looked after and make money from the bankys . Than said the landlord ! So I would have thought the bankys belongs to the landlord not the family renting ! So confused
Rather obvious it will be ‘hosted’ at Dreamland for the summer then sold off to who knows where for a couple of million with a bit to charity and loads to the homeowner !
A worthwhile cause it should go in the turner gallery that is also free entry and open all year Dreamland is taking advantage here first taking on concerts while the winter gardens and the theatre royal are closed this half term the park that’s in Southend is open attracting thousands of families to the town our park should be open now not wait until Easter it should not be closed the town is seeking an all year economy
When doesn’t Dreamland take advantage? Well said. Rarely thinks of the local community; only of its own hedge fund profits.
I’m interested to know how technically they.can remove this mural from the wall without damaging it or the property that it’s on
They can move whole houses intact these days, a section of wall with the structure supported shouldnt be difficult, would be tragic if it got damaged tho…..
Your right Rockstar, as a former member of the Chartered Institute of Building I have to admit I am puzzled as to how the wall will be removed intact, I wouldn’t want the job! This is worth repeating, for those who haven’t twigged it yet, the Valentine Day Mascara is a play on words for the St Valentine Days Massacre that took place in 30’s America when a couple of gangs fell out, and were gunned down. Al Capone I think was involved. Banksy is drawing the comparison between violence by men to men, and by men to woman.
That needed to be said, ‘Dumpton’. Thank you. Even the BBC SE TV newsteam didn’t understand why it had its title – they introduced the segment as “Valentine’s Mascara”. One other little nuance – I thought its title also alluded to the fact that all some wives can expect on Valentine’s Day is a puffy black eye, a substitute mascara. That thought made it even more poignant for me. If actual or potential partner-beaters do stop and reflect, maybe they will reflect that, one day, like Al Capone, their partner might solve the problem with violence too. That thought might change behaviour more than the prospect of a short suspended sentence.
Eddie Kemsley, CEO of Dreamland Margate, said: “The arrival of Banksy’s latest artwork in Margate has caused a real stir! Everyone in the town is really excited that he has chosen Margate as the location for his latest work, and the fact that he is highlighting such an important issue only makes it more important.
More crap being spouted by the CEO of Dreamland, a lot of us believe it should be sent to landfill, along with everything in the Turner & Dreamland.
I guess in her pretentious ‘art & culture’ world of dirty beds, rags stuck on walls, black hair lectures & getting millions of free money they don’t deserve etc everybody is excited, many of us give two figs about this Banksy idiot.
You seem really unhappy Steve. If you’re not interested in any of the things you list, spend your attention elsewhere on things you do enjoy. Life is short, don’t waste it on things you don’t care about.
Well said Shane
I enjoy being a miserable moaner & I had to correct her patent falsehood.
Well it’s become a world wide story. Not only is it art but it’s clever and it’s extremely popular. Thankfully it won’t be going to landfill
it still stands that it is vandalism and fly tipping, The council seem ok with this though,maybe go out and paint on someones house and dump rubbish next to it, see how that works out for you
Has it become a worldwide story or just a national story? Does anybody outside of the UK know or care about Wanksy? The publicity this week has been a total embarrassment for the area.
Is it Art? He uses a stencil doesn’t he? I don’t see fly-tipping & leaving Graffiti on people’s homes as being clever in any way. Nor do I see endorsing murder as good in any way.
Well, Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran etc are extremely popular, but like this coward who creeps around at night doing this stuff they have zero talent & nothing is remotely memorable.
nice to see another steve whos just about had enough of this fly tipping “artist”..
Brilliant news, fantastic idea to display it at Dreamland where it will be publicly accessible. Delighted that the message about domestic abuse has been raised so much over the last few days well done Banksy and IOTN.
Ramsgate Resident
I could not agree more!! Well done Kathy for bringing it to our attention.
I wouldn’t trust Dreamland to look after it!
Great news!
I’ve been following this story and am delighted with the outcome. Anyone that wishes to see Banksy’s artwork will be able to and the Domestic Abuse charity, Oasis, that does such vital work will benefit, too.
Thanks, Kathy, for keeping us up-to-date with developments
Has anyone actually asked Banksy, if they can remove and relocate his artwork. I honestly dont believe that Dreamland will allow free access to the park to view the ‘amended’ artwork. It cannot be original, as items have be removed and amended.
Its vandalism on private property, so i doubt its got anything to do with him, its graffiti and should just be painted over..
Did he ask anybody if he could put it there & fly tip waste in the first place?
Banksy is anti-establishment and anti-capitalist, he purposely doesn’t own or profit off art he creates. I don’t know exactly how he makes money, maybe from publishing books, prints etc. but his main intention is to draw attention to issues and to get PR.
Excellent news. A very happy ending to a great local story.
I’d like to thank Kathy for keeping us posted all week in the face of some ridiculous criticism.
The usual suspects melting like the snowflakes they are over things they can’t understand.
I can’t wait to see it for myself in its new home.
Why are you always so rude about people less gullible than you?
At last the attention is mainly on the reason for this particular Banksy painting; domestic abuse. I hope the long term is being looked at for the painting and not just a temporary ‘lodging place’.
Anyway, it’s a big thank you to Banksy who has created publicity for Margate and Domestic Abuse.
A big thank you? for what breaking the law and getting away with it ?
Great news ❤️👍🏻
Good to shine a light on domestic abuse. However isn’t it meant to be a piece of edgy street art , therein lies its power, not as some trendy installation in Dreamland.
Isn’t the purpose of banksy are for everyone to enjoy not just those that can afford it that’s why he destroyed one piece of his art work already is the freezer going with it surprised they found the same freezer after it was removed
Dreamland is free entry is it not? Or have they changed that?
I have some doubt about the ownership of the piece.the mural might be owned by the householder but the crucial freezer was on public land.so if anyone is going to benefit it ought to be the long suffering tax payer.also capital gains tax will be due,so it will not be quite the lottery win,that is being made out.
As for Ms Kemsley I share the concerns about her provenance.
Some of you are dreadful bores. The amount of tax evading our own PM has indulged in and you are worried about the tax benefit of who technically owns a dumped fridge.
If anything this graffiti and rubbish has highlighted what a filthy disgusting place Margate is
Dont beat around the bush fred, say it how it is mate..
That needed to be said, ‘Dumpton’. Thank you. Even the BBC SE TV newsteam didn’t understand why it had its title – they introduced the segment as “Valentine’s Mascara”. One other little nuance – I thought its title also alluded to the fact that all some wives can expect on Valentine’s Day is a puffy black eye, a substitute mascara. That thought made it even more poignant for me. If actual or potential partner-beaters do stop and reflect, maybe they will reflect that, one day, like Al Capone, their partner might solve the problem with violence too. That thought might change behaviour more than the prospect of a short suspended sentence.
Stop all this rubbish about the piece and its meaning, its vandalsim and fly tipping and someone whos got away with both, all the woke praising a common criminal.. where does it end?