Shortly before Christmas, two men were arrested after a Banksy artwork was removed from Peckham. But it’s not the first time the guerrilla artist has painted Southwark’s streets.
In 2010, Banksy painted ‘Choose Your Weapon’ on The Grange, off Grange Road, depicting a hooded character walking a barking Haring-style dog.
Joe Guner Yusuf Ozlala, who owned the site, said the plan was to keep the artwork but the iconic piece was removed six years later in February 2016.
At the time, Southwark News tried to contact the owner to see what he knew about the art’s removal but he did not respond to a request for comment.
Damian O’Brien, former Liberal Democrat councillor for Grange ward, said: “Whatever it was painted onto – they pulled it back and took the whole thing off and then put some covering over it.
“But whatever happened to the actual artwork we don’t know.”
He added: “It’s probably gone into storage somewhere.”
The artwork has been described as portraying Britain’s gang culture in which aggressive dogs are weaponised.
Second man arrested in connection with Peckham Banksy artwork theft
The dog, drawn in the style of US artist Keith Haring’s barking dog, contrasts with the realism of the man.
Today, a piece of board covers where the artwork once stood – possibly to stop the exposed wall from deteriorating.
Banksy’s drone piece, daubed on a stop sign in Peckham, was unveiled on December 22 but removed just hours later.
Two men have been arrested on suspicion of theft and criminal damage and have been released on bail while police continue their investigation.
Joe Guner Yusuf Ozlala could not be contacted for comment.