The Painting on the Bridge Mystery, Possibly a Banksy? Help Solve!

Solonger · March 1st, 2011, 04:45 PM

Hello folks, i need help elucidating a mystery that has puzzled me since 2005. This painting here seen in the photos was found on June 21st of 2005, at 1 AM, hanging from the side of the Millennium Bridge (aka the wobbly bridge) in London. The bridge crosses the Thames and painting was hanging over the railing facing north my guess was so boats passing from north to south would see it. It was secured to the railing with a piece of tan nylon. The black lettering was still wet and i believe is oil based as it took several days to dry. We had just come from the Globe theater.

As you can see by the picture it is a canvas replica of the scream by Edvard Munch. The graffiti says "WANTED the Anti-Heroes...?" On the back is the most chilling and peculiar of features. Inscribed, or more precisely what appears to be burned into the frame is a 6 page typed written poetic rant about life, love, the universe, existentialism etc. It is absolutely beautiful poetry and is certainly the mark of an extremely unique creative mind. It starts at the upper left corner and winds its way to a flawless, almost seamless conclusion at the very center, which makes me think that this was not planned but possibly improvised. It mostly rhymes as well. I can post excerpts from the poetry if you wish to hear it.

I have some done some comparisons between the lettering on the painting and Banksy lettering and there are strikingly similar features. In addition Banksy has been known to graffiti over old masters works. I have contacted several Banksy authorities about getting the painting authenticated as a banksy but the two sources i have tried have said that it is not a banksy. They were very vague as to why they thought this however so i am not convinced. I am extremely interested in finding out the mystery behind this painting. Please Help if you know anything about Banksy or other local London artists as this piece is gorgeous and the rant on the back is poetic genius!

Solonger · March 15th, 2011, 10:01 PM

nobody has any ideas?

John · March 16th, 2011, 02:13 PM

Very interesting and powerful art work, especially the back, but it doesn't look like any other Banksy I've ever seen. Is the rant really poetic genius, or just an incoherent tirade from someone who should be on psychiatric meds?

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March 15th, 2011, 10:01 PM	#2
Solonger Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 2	nobody has any ideas?

March 16th, 2011, 02:13 PM	#3
John John Malyon, host Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 2,404	Very interesting and powerful art work, especially the back, but it doesn't look like any other Banksy I've ever seen. Is the rant really poetic genius, or just an incoherent tirade from someone who should be on psychiatric meds?