An important early stencil work by the Bristol born artist Banksy depicting a leopard breaking out of a barcode has been put on display at a school’s open evening. A teacher who is the wife of the owner, said once the Banksy work was taken home they did not know what to do with it so stored it under their bed until now.
The work was painted on a wall which was due to be demolished, when a building underwent renovations. The owner of the property was asked if attempts could be made to remove it and permission was given. It was later given to the architect by the owner.
The teacher, who asked to remain anonymous, explained that her husband had to cut a 10cm channel around the Banksy and chisel it out of the wall. It would now be placed in a secure and secret location, she said.
“We don’t know whether we will sell it, we’re not looking to do that at the moment and don’t know how valuable it would be,” she said. “It is an early Banksy, one of his original stencil works. It might be a nice legacy for us to pass to our children.
“Our families don’t know about it, so it will be a shock when they see any publicity from tonight.”
The work of art which has been reproduced in a number of books on Banksy has been valued at around £125,000