Builders have started to dismantle Banksy‘s iconic goat above Kew Bridge- to the heartbreak of art-loving locals.
The graffiti from the anonymous artist was only sprayed onto the south west London property in August and has become a beloved part of the tight-knit community. It was the first of a series of six gorilla artworks painted over six days across London last summer.
But today workmen were installing metal bars around the section of the wall containing the goat as they prepared to take it away.
Its removal from the building, currently a gun factory owned by Boss and Company Bows and Company, is expected to take place over the course of this week.
It is thought the Banksy will be taken to Carlisle to be restored but it is understood that it will not be returned to its Thames-side home.
And furious locals have now spoken out to reveal their horror as the beloved artwork is taken away from their community.
Phillipa Turner, 63, who lives in Kew, complained that removing the animal would go against the principle of the graffiti masterpiece.
She said: ‘It’s part of the community, and the fact that Banksy placed it specifically where it was – so you see it when you come from Kew Gardens, you see it as you go along the bridge. It’s like a beacon for a community.
Builders were seen installing metal scaffolds around the section of the wall containing the artwork as they prepared to take it away
A specialist team of builders have been brought in to remove the Banksy Goat from the side of the building on Kew Bridge
Members of the public look at and take photos of Banksy’s piece of art work, near Kew Bridge in west London, of a goat on a wall shortly after it was installed in August last year
Phillipa Turner, 63, and her friend Catherine Jago, 68,who both live in Kew, complained that removing the animal would go against the principle of the graffiti masterpiece
It is thought the piece will be taken to Carlisle to be restored
‘The fact that it’s on a private house – it isn’t what he would want. In his beginning of his summer of many beautiful things, he chose this.’
Referencing the controversy surrounding Heathrow’s third runway, joked: ‘We’ll have more planes and more noise and no Banksy – it makes you think why you live in Kew!’
Her friend Catherine Jago, 68, with whom she was dining at the stylish Greyhound gastropub, added that the artwork had become a part of the community – and they want reassurances that one day it will return.
She said: ‘We understand that it needs to be removed for the building work, but our concern is that it is going to disappear and not return to the place where Banksy put it.
‘It’s not just an attraction here in Kew – it gives you a smile every time you go past. Every time I go past there’s this nice feeling as we see our Banksy there.
‘I would understand if the whole building was being destroyed why it wouldn’t go back up there, but there’s no reason why it can’t go between the windows.
‘I think we would be really reassured if they could say that it was definitely coming back, but at the moment we’re not getting that, which is really sad.’
Images show the team sectioning off the area where the art was sprayed last summer
Banksy unveiled the piece of artwork near Kew Bridge in West London in August of last year
Emy Ludovici, 50, who is the manager of the Greyhound, where Phillipa and Catherine were eating, said that the pub is so close to the Banksy that for weeks after he notice a uptick in trade
The goat is being removed by Fine Art Restoration, a company who have worked on ‘dozens’ of Banksys in the past.
The pair further complained that there had not been communication with the community that their artwork was suddenly being taken away.
The owners of the building on which the goat is painted said that the artwork is being ‘carefully removed’ to protect it while work is being done on the property. Another floor and a new roof are set to be added in the extensive building project.
The owners have said they will ‘explore options for its future display so it can continue to be appreciated’ once the building works are complete.
Emy Ludovici, 50, who is the manager of the Greyhound, where Phillipa and Catherine were eating, said that the pub is so close to the Banksy that for weeks after he notice a uptick in trade.
He said: ‘It’s a bit of street decoration. It stands out. The first couple of weeks I could feel that people were really interested.’
One man, who works at the building where the goat is painted, refused to tell MailOnline that it was being removed – instead saying it was being ‘protected while we’re having some building work done’.
The plans for the building renovation were in place well before the Banksy had been painted, and a number of windows are being installed on the wall where it has been painted.
It is understood that it is not currently the owners’ plan to sell the artwork.
Residents are said to be furious over the removal of the artwork, which is beloved in the area
Jana De la Rosa, 37 and Genesis 38Locals have been left furious as builders have started to remove the beloved goat Banksy
Stuart NacKenzie, 58, lives in Ealing but used to drive past the art every day for work
Banksy has revealed a new artwork featuring a goat perched on top of a wall in West London
One resident, who did not want to give their name, said residents are ‘very, very fond’ of the piece.
‘People come from all over the world to see it’, they said.
‘There were times during the summer when there were film crews from every continent. We’re very, very fond of it.
‘It’s a real tourist attraction. All the way through since August we’ve had tourists coming. It’s been huge fun.’
‘They say they’re planning to take it to Carlisle to restore it and then put it back. But we don’t believe them.
Some residents are joking that the company will just ‘flog it’ or ‘they will come up with some excuse for not putting it back on the wall.’
Genesis and Jana De la Rosa, 38 and 37, who live in nearby Chiswick, say they regularly run past the famed piece.
Jana said: ‘It’s a community area and it’s really sad to see it go. It’s been really nice to see it every day and we’ll miss it when it’s gone.’
Alison Kemp, 60, lives on the road the Banksy was painted on and was shocked when she saw the builders working on the wall
Gabriel Gasco, 40, said he had loved having the Banksy on the bridge – and thought it was wrong that it was being taken away
The building owners said that the artwork is being ‘carefully removed’ to protect it while work is being done on the property
Another resident added: ‘The point of Banksy is that it’s supposed to be for the people.
‘It’s really sad that it’s being taken away from Kew, especially from the bridge where so many people see it everyday’.
Gabriel Gasco, 40, said he had loved having the Banksy on the bridge – and thought it was wrong that it was being taken away.
The building manager said: ‘I believe that they shouldn’t take it. If it’s not on the house, what’s the point of it. It’s a real shame.
‘I was impressed that it was this side of the city- usually we don’t get things like this. Most of his artwork is on East. I loved having it here.’
Stuart NacKenzie, 58, lives in Ealing but used to drive past the art every day for work.
He said: ‘The Goat – the Greatest Of All Time – it’s symbolic.
‘It’s sad to see it go because you just feel it’s nice he’s come to your area. I’ll be really sad when it’s gone. It’s such a shame for the area to lose this.’
The artist’s new piece in London features the goat silhouette with rocks falling down below it
People look at the Banksy piece of artwork near Kew Bridge of a goat on a wall
Employees move a CCTV camera back to its original position after Banksy moved it
The artist’s piece in London features the goat silhouette with rocks falling down below it
A member of the public takes a photo of Banksy’s piece of artwork near Kew Bridge in August
Alison Kemp, 60, lives on the road the Banksy was painted on and was shocked when she saw the builders working on the wall.
She added: ‘People are very fond of it. It was very exciting when it went up – it was great.
‘I’ve directed lots of tourists who’ve wanted to see it and walk along the river. But not for long obviously – what a shame!
‘It’s a little landmark.’
Another woman, who lives in nearby Twickenham, was shocked as she passed it and saw the art being removed.
She said: ‘It’s been there for months and you pass it – the ethos behind the artwork is that it’s there to be enjoyed publicly.
‘If it’s going to maintain the longevity of the artwork I can see some benefits to it but the whole nature of his artwork is that it’s supposed to be publically accessible for people to enjoy.
‘Also part of it is that it’s on this building at this location – it’s part of the context of it.’
In a statement, the owners of the building said: ‘As part of a long-planned and carefully considered refurbishment of 110 Kew Green, which commenced last year, structural works will begin this week.
‘These works, which include the addition of another floor and a new roof following the granting of planning permission, are essential for the long-term future of the property.
People were shocked as they passed by the now infamous location and saw the art being removed
The artwork appeared on the building in August last year and has become a beloved part of the community
The work shows a goat standing on a thin wall, with rocks tumbling down signifying the animal’s perilous position
Locals have said that the piece has attracted many tourists to the area
The building owners have said the removal and conservation of the piece will be carried out by specialist art conservators with expertise in preserving street art
‘The owners recognise the cultural significance of The Goat, a piece by the renowned British artist Banksy, and appreciate the community’s interest in and affection for the artwork.
‘Given the scale of the construction, the decision has been made to carefully remove the artwork to ensure its conservation and protection during the redevelopment process.
‘The removal and conservation will be carried out by specialist art conservators with expertise in preserving street art, ensuring that the piece remains intact and safeguarded.
‘Once the redevelopment is complete, the owners will explore options for its future display so that it can continue to be appreciated.
‘The owners thank the community for their understanding and support as these essential works take place and remain committed to respecting the cultural significance of the artwork.’
Chris Bull, of Fine Art Restoration, added: ‘We have worked on lots of Banksys over the last 12 years and each one is always very interesting and very enjoyable – equally very challenging as well.
‘They’re always divisive. They always get the public’s interest up and people always want to know about it.
‘To us it is about trying to do the best thing by the artwork, and also keep everyone’s expectations manage.’
The piece appeared in August last year and shows the silhouette of a goat balancing on top of some masonry on an exterior wall near Kew Bridge in West London, with debris falling down the side of the building.
It was unveiled as part of an animal-themed spree of artwork across London which included a rhino mounting a Nissan Micra with a traffic cone on its bonnet on Westmore Street in Charlton, a giant fish tank on a police sentry box in the City of London, silhouettes of two elephants with their trunks stretched towards each other on the side of a building in Chelsea and three monkeys looking as though they were swinging underneath a bridge over Brick Lane.
There were also images of a lone wolf howling on a rooftop in Peckham, pelicans pinching fish from a London chip shop sign in Walthamstow and a large cat silhouette on Saturday which was sprayed onto an abandoned billboard in Cricklewood.
The elusive street artist posted a picture of his mural to his official Instagram showing a rhino mounting a Nissan Micra with a traffic cone on its bonnet on Westmore Street in Charlton, south east London
He confirmed he was behind a new swimming fish artwork which appeared on a police sentry box in the City of London
Another new artwork, confirmed to be by Banksy, was unveiled on a wall of a house in Chelsea, London
Banksy confirmed that the three monkeys looking as though they were swinging underneath a bridge over Brick Lane as the third artwork in the series
The artwork showing the silhouette of a wolf howling appeared on a rooftop in Peckham
The fifth design, of pelicans pinching fish from Bonners Fish Bar’s sign, on Northcote Road
A large cat silhouette was sprayed onto an abandoned billboard in Cricklewood, appearing to show the animal stretching and scratching at a broken part of the wood
The guerilla artist, famed for his politically-themed works, confirmed all the pieces on his Instagram page.
The mystery surrounding Banksy has left people puzzled for decades, but he was unmasked following a MailOnline investigation as Robin Gunningham after an alleged picture of the artist at work was unveiled. His identity has not been officially confirmed.
But his anonymity has caused issues, leaving him stripped of four trademarks on his work – Radar Rat, Girl with Umbrella, Flower Thrower and Laugh now as judges ruled he was ‘acting in bad faith’ by remaining anonymous.
Banksy, who has previously said ‘copyright is for losers’, was told he was acting in ‘bad faith’ because he had ‘departed from accepted principles of ethical behaviours or honest commercial and business practices’.
He is currently facing a bitter legal challenge to take his trademark away from him.
It came after it was revealed the artist never intended to commercialise the pieces when he applied for the legal protection of them.
Judges pointed to the fact that ‘he cannot be identified as the unquestionable owner of such works as his identity is hidden’.
He is currently facing a bitter legal challenge to take his trademark away from him.
Banksy has been stripped of two more trademarks for his works – Radar Rat (left) and Girl with Umbrella (right), now making four in total, because he refuses to reveal his identity to judges
Trademark ruling on ‘Flower Thrower’ (pictured) was the first of its kind against the Bristolian
The artist also lost a trademark for work Laugh Now (pictured at exhibition in Taiwan)
The graffiti artist, whose team could be made to go public in court, is being forced to defend his trademark of the word Banksy to sell images and merchandise.
The case is being brought by Full Colour Black, a greeting card company that sells recreations of Banksy’s work, The Sun has reported.
The company owned by Andrew Gallagher has claimed the faceless artist has not used the Banksy trademark and that it should be cancelled for ‘non-use’.
Moreover, one of Banksy’s team will be required to give evidence at a tribunal in the spring to fight against the claims, a source has claimed.
This would be the first time someone would be forced to speak on Banksy’s behalf in public.
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