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Father Christmas graffiti shock at Chichester’s County Hall
Residents have been left stunned by an incredible piece of graffiti artwork of Father Christmas making a rude gesture with the letters ‘Bah Humbug’ next to it - painted on the entrance to County Hall in Chichester.
Many believe the artwork to be that of the infamous and anonymous artist Banksy, who has created topical and controversial graffiti art at random locations around the UK.
And to add to the humour a pile of coal was left below the artwork at West Street, which was believed to have been completed early this morning (Thursday, December 23).
However the joy of celebrating the comical feat in Chichester was short-lived as West Sussex County Council officials ordered the graffiti to be painted over immediately. And before 9am this morning it was all gone.
One passer-by said ‘the county council are so desperate to get rid of it, they’ve painted over it in the wrong colour’.
Alan Wilkins of Fishbourne, was lucky enough to observe the Father Christmas artwork.
He said: “I think it’s brilliant. For all the rubbish graffiti you get around town you go and get something like this. They are going to get rid of it straight away.
“Most people are looking at it and think it’s funny. Everyone has had their cameras out, taking pictures.”
Another admirer of the artwork said it had brightened up his morning.
The Father Christmas is coloured in black and red and sits on the white wall of the former county council information centre in West Street. It sits beneath a ‘county hall’ sign.
West Sussex County Council said: “We are not without a sense of humour at County Hall but at the end of the day graffiti is seen as criminal damage in the eyes of the law. Our policy is to remove unauthorised graffiti from public view as rapidly as possible.”
What do you think of the offending Father Christmas?
Send your views to news@chiobserver.co.uk or contact us 01243 531313.
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Comments
There are 5 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
Tetley Bitter
Thursday, December 30, 2010 at 11:10 PMIt did make me chuckle, I will concede. However, WSCC and Chichester District Council aren't the right targets here - it's the City Council isn't it - the ones with the smaller budget? £15k - that's a driver for a shopmobility bus driver a few times a week? no?
royston.marshall
Saturday, December 25, 2010 at 07:25 AMI honestly can't imagine why with all that's going on in the world anyone would commit such a pointless crime and furthermore why anyone would think we're interested to hear about it?? Just asking....
Esme
Thursday, December 23, 2010 at 10:58 PMToo crude to be Banksy. Nevertheless, good point well made.
Cressers
Thursday, December 23, 2010 at 12:07 PMIt's tastefully done and better than the plain brick wall! Perhaps it can be recovered and sold with the proceeds going to fund next years' lights? Better that then the taxpayers getting stuffed for it again!
Cressers
Thursday, December 23, 2010 at 12:07 PMIt's tastefully done and better than the plain brick wall! Perhaps it can be recovered and sold with the proceeds going to fund next years' lights? Better that then the taxpayers getting stuffed for it again!
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