Banksy in Eureka?!?!?
Today I was walking home from work and I came across a possible Bansky mural in Eureka, CA. It is painted on the side of the Redwood Arts Association on 6th and F St. I was so excited that I ran home to get my digital camera, and was able to get some photographs of it before anything happened to it. It is approximately 2 ft tall by 1 ft wide. This particular mural is called “Love Rat.” I have never seen a Banksy in person, but this one looks so real. I suppose it could be a copycat…. but if it is real, I just feel so grateful to have come across it. Apart from the art itself, the term “Love Rat” refers to a man who commits adultery or is rather on the promiscuous side of things. On Banksy’s website, he jokingly has pitched it as “ideal for a cheating spouse.” I think it is interesting that it was chosen to nest here in Eureka, California during a time of Civil Rights Movements, Covid-19, Fires, and Political Strife. On top of that, Eureka, CA is an incredibly beautiful place, struggling with its own problems of mass poverty and specifically, homelessness. “Love Rat,” as a screen print first appeared in 2004 with a limited edition of 150 signed and autographed, and 600 un-autographed pieces. “Love Rat” is depicted as a black and white rat holding a paintbrush dipped in red paint underneath a dripping, bleeding heart. The love rat has not only created something beautiful, but also painful.
Upon doing further research, I did find that this painting is a replica. The mural next to it included many well-known classic artists, and I thought because of this, it would be a draw for the famous muralist to include his mural. I think the thrill of finding a Banksy in a place that is known for it’s sheer amount of murals was such an interesting thing for me. Never had I felt such adrenaline over finding “buried treasure.” I think Banksy’s paintings have taken on a new feeling of excitement for the finder, and perhaps the original intent is lost. I didn’t think of looking into the meaning of the mock-Banksy until after I documented it with my camera. I didn’t care what it meant, and while that makes me kind of upset, I know that I am not alone in this phenomena. Last year Banksy shredded one of his prints while at auction, via a frame that had a pre-installed paper shredder. The piece ended up rising in price, substantially, and further suggested the idiocy behind collecting famous works of art, letting appreciate to millions and millions of dollars, while the artist sees very little profit in the long run.
