A new stencil mural has appeared in Stockport and people are saying the same thing

Speculation in Stockport is rife today following the unveiling of a new piece of art work on the side of a pub, something that many believe to be the work of famed graffiti artist Banksy.

The painting, located on the side of The Griffin Hotel in Heaton Mersey, features a black and white boy flying a yellow kite patterned with a sad version of the iconic acid-house smiley face. 

The style of the artwork is uncanny to the style of the anonymous artist Banksy, who has become well known and loved for his politically-fuelled art displays. 

Locals claim that the art installation was unveiled yesterday, Sunday October 10th, and had previously been covered by screens. One local resident told ITV Granada: “Some neighbours said that it was done professionally in the sense that it was done behind some screens.

“I think it was done in the early hours of this morning and people said they heard work taking place then. It looks like [a real Banksy]. As you can see from the photo, it’s quite well done.

“It’s not graffiti, let’s put it that way.”

Danny Chambers, the landlord of The Griffin Hotel, said he was non-the-wiser about the art, and only learned of it upon his arrival at the pub yesterday morning.

He said: “It’s obviously a surprise! It had just appeared when I came back from the shops this morning. People have been talking about it and asking questions about it but I don’t know anything about it so I’ve not really had any answers.

“We’ve got our own artwork in the beer garden that we paid an artist for, but the one out there is nothing to do with me.”

Despite being one of the most famous street artists in the world, Banksy has always kept his identity a secret, and doesn’t announce when or where he’ll be unveiling his art work. 

The artist has no known work here in Manchester – though back in 2017, Mancunians were convinced that graffiti in the Northern Quarter was his. 

The graffiti showed a woman with her back turned wearing headphones attached to a cassette player, while reading a sign that stated: ‘Sorry… Removed for profit Sincura Group’, a reference to an arts group who were due to publish a book revealing Banksy’s identity. 

However, locals’ excitement was foiled when it was announced that the art had been completed by Bristol-based artist John D’oh.

Banksy’s representatives are yet to confirm whether the mural was completed by him.