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.
