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Banksy art? Graffiti in Port Talbot sparks speculation Banksy confirms Port Talbot 'Season's greetings' piece is his
(about 4 hours later)
A new piece of graffiti art has got a whole town talking - with one question on their lips: Is it a Banksy? The artist Banksy has confirmed that a new graffiti piece that has appeared in south Wales is his.
The image appears on two sides of a garage in the south Wales steelwork town of Port Talbot. He used his verified Instagram account to announce: "Season's greetings' - with a video of the artwork in Port Talbot.
It shows a child enjoying what appears to be snow falling - but the other side reveals that it is a fire emitting ash. The image appears on two sides of a garage depicting a child enjoying snow falling - the other side reveals it is a fire emitting ash.
The steelworker who owns the garage said he had three hours' sleep because he feared it might be vandalised, and now wants it protected "for the town". The garage owner said he had not slept over fears it might be vandalised.
Ian Lewis, who built the garage in the 90s to prevent his car being damaged, said he found out about the possible Banksy "yesterday morning on my Facebook account".Ian Lewis, who built the garage in the 90s to prevent his car being damaged, said he found out about the possible Banksy "yesterday morning on my Facebook account".
"I didn't think much of it at the time, I knew a little bit about Banksy but I never thought it would be him - if it is him. "I didn't think much of it at the time, I knew a little bit about Banksy but I never thought it would be him - if it is him," he said.
Who is Banksy?
Banksy is a famous - but anonymous - British graffiti artist. He keeps his identity a secret
He produces pieces of work which pop up in public places, such as on the walls of buildings.
A lot of his art is done in a particular style which people can easily recognise.
He began spray-painting trains and walls in his home city of Bristol in the early 1990s.
But in the 2000s, he expanded his work beyond Bristol and was soon leaving his artistic mark all over the world.
"There were people coming here all night."There were people coming here all night.
"I am very pleased, I think it is a smashing bit of artwork. It is good for the town and I just want to protect it, and it is here for everybody.""I am very pleased, I think it is a smashing bit of artwork. It is good for the town and I just want to protect it, and it is here for everybody."
A fence has now been erected around the graffiti.A fence has now been erected around the graffiti.
Plaid Cymru Councillor for Aberavon, Nigel Thomas Hunt, said he was convinced it was a work by Banksy. Plaid Cymru Councillor for Aberavon, Nigel Thomas Hunt said the whole town had been "buzzing" with speculation that the work was by Banksy.
"We're buzzing down here, we're convinced its the work of the very well known street artist," he said. "The placing of the work is very clever, in between the blast furnace and the M4, yards from where Richard Burton was brought up and where we've had bonfires for years," he said.
"The placing of the work is very clever, in between the blast furnace and the M4, yards from where Richard Burton was brought up and where we've had bonfires for years. You can look at the painting and see the furnaces in the background. "You can look at the painting and see the furnaces in the background."
A Neath Port Talbot council spokesperson said it was sending officers to "liaise with the property holder to assist in protecting this artwork".A Neath Port Talbot council spokesperson said it was sending officers to "liaise with the property holder to assist in protecting this artwork".
Workmen have arrived on site, and are in the process of erecting a fence around the garage. Workmen have already erected a fence around the garage.
Speculation over the artwork has been further fuelled, after a sketch bearing striking similarities to the latest piece emerged. Speculation that the piece was a genuine Banksy piece was fuelled when a sketch bearing striking similarities to the latest piece emerged.
It appeared in a documentary last year, featuring exchanges between the film director Danny Boyle and Banksy, as they collaborated on an alternative 'nativity' play in Bethlehem.It appeared in a documentary last year, featuring exchanges between the film director Danny Boyle and Banksy, as they collaborated on an alternative 'nativity' play in Bethlehem.
"I would say it looks like it could be his work," said Banksy enthusiast Craig Williams, who has studied the artist's work for several years
"Both for the political-clever message attached to it and the stencil and shading - (it's) quite similar to other works."
A representative for the elusive artist has been asked to comment on the latest piece.
However, Banksy has yet to confirm whether it is his handiwork.