Banksy’s Art Buff – The Folkestone Plinth 

In 2014, during Creative Folkestone’s Triennial Festival, Folkestone’s Banksy appeared.  ‘Art Buff’ depicted a woman gazing at an empty plinth.  The artist stated it was ‘part of the Folkestone Triennial.  Kind of.’  It was barely on show for a month before it was cut out of the wall, shipped to America to be sold.  After a legal battle, Creative Folkestone have secured the artwork for the town.

who owns street art

The legal battle behind getting ‘Art Buff’ back to Folkestone sparked the question about who owns street art?  There was also a question as to who owned the wall it was painted on.  Confusion arose to start with as The Godden family thought they did.  They run the amusement arcade that is behind the wall Banksy painted on.  They thought they could cut out the artwork and sell it.  Their intention was to use the funds raised as part of their charitable work.

When it transpired that there was a freeholder of the building, and the Godden’s were leasing, there was a different owner of the work.  The legal fight ensued and ‘Art Buff’ was returned home.

restoration and preservation

Alastair Upton, Chief Executive of Creative Folkestone, is custodian of the work.  “That piece of work was put on the wall for all to see.  It was given to Folkestone, so this is where it belongs.  Unfortunately, when we got it back from the auction, it was clear it was damaged.  Not only was it damaged from where it had been cut from the wall, but it was damaged internally too.  It is important that we preserve this, and exhibit it where as many people as possible can view it freely.”

Creative Folkestone has restored many buildings within the Creative Quarter for artists and creatives to live and work.  ‘Art Buff’ was put in the window of Folklore, a cocktail bar on The Old High Street.  It’s set a little way back from the street, on the public route to Kollectiv, an art space for creatives to perform and present their work.

lockdown exhibits

During Lockdown in 2020, the Folkestone Banksy inspired a new creative venture called The Plinth. The public were encouraged to put an object or a creation made during Lockdown on one of 10 plinths around town. It was a celebration of Folkestone, community and creativity.

Earlier in the year, due to the Covid19 pandemic, Creative Folkestone were forced to postpone the 2020 Folkestone Triennial.  Quarterhouse, the charity’s theatre, was also closed.  However, Creative Folkestone is always coming up with ways to be creative, communicate and celebrate art in the town.  As well as these empty plinths, there were also three specially commissioned plinths with works by local artists Malcolm Allen, Maureen Jordan and Tomas Poblete. In addition, there was also a performance plinth painted on the floor of Payers Park by street artist Toze One. The performance plinth hosted a curated programme of music, dance, spoken word and more.

Banksy’s ‘Art Buff’ history

This is a short film about the history of Banksy’s ‘Art Buff’ appearing in Folkestone, and its subsequent disappearance. The film is made by Sam Supple and Audrey Green Oakes for BBC Inside Out.

Photo credits: Matt Crossick/PA Wire