Elusive street artist Banksy has revealed a new mural. The large-scale painting depicts a worker chipping away at one of the twelve stars on the European Union flag.
Elusive street artist Banksy has revealed a new mural. The large-scale painting depicts a worker chipping away at one of the twelve stars on the European Union flag.
Elliot Masters
The artwork was completed overnight on Sunday in the town of Dover, England.
The artwork was completed overnight on Sunday in the town of Dover, England.
elliot masters
In March, Banksy revealed a large-scale installation in Bethlehem. Titled the Walled Off Hotel, the interactive artwork features nine guest rooms and a presidential suite.
In March, Banksy revealed a large-scale installation in Bethlehem. Titled the Walled Off Hotel, the interactive artwork features nine guest rooms and a presidential suite.
Oren Liebermann/ CNN
Each room critiques the division between Israel and Palestine, and the hotel looks out to a 30-foot concrete wall, which has been described as the largest canvas in the world.
Each room critiques the division between Israel and Palestine, and the hotel looks out to a 30-foot concrete wall, which has been described as the largest canvas in the world.
Oren Liebermann/ CNN
In June 2016 elusive UK street artist Banksy painted this mural for students at a primary school in his hometown of Bristol, England. Students had named a house at their school for the artist, who surprised them with the mural when they returned from a holiday break. Here's a look at some other notable Banksy works.
In June 2016 elusive UK street artist Banksy painted this mural for students at a primary school in his hometown of Bristol, England. Students had named a house at their school for the artist, who surprised them with the mural when they returned from a holiday break. Here's a look at some other notable Banksy works.
Courtesy Matt Stannard
On January 25, a new mural by street artist Banksy appeared on the French Embassy in London, criticising the French authorities' reported use of teargas in a refugee camp in Calais, France. A riff on the iconic Les Misérables poster, it shows a young girl enveloped by CS gas, crying.
On January 25, a new mural by street artist Banksy appeared on the French Embassy in London, criticising the French authorities' reported use of teargas in a refugee camp in Calais, France. A riff on the iconic Les Misérables poster, it shows a young girl enveloped by CS gas, crying.
Carl Court/Getty Images
A mural of a weeping woman, painted by the British street artist Banksy, is seen in Khan Yunis, Gaza, on Wednesday, April 1. The mural was painted on a door of a house destroyed last summer during the fighting between Israel and Hamas. The owner of the house <a href="https://www.chinalucky8.com/2015/04/02/middleeast/gaza-war-door-banksy-artist/index.html" target="_blank">said he was tricked into selling the door</a> for the equivalent of $175, not realizing the painting was by the famously anonymous artist.
A mural of a weeping woman, painted by the British street artist Banksy, is seen in Khan Yunis, Gaza, on Wednesday, April 1. The mural was painted on a door of a house destroyed last summer during the fighting between Israel and Hamas. The owner of the house said he was tricked into selling the door for the equivalent of $175, not realizing the painting was by the famously anonymous artist.
Said Khatib/AFP/Getty Images
A Palestinian child stands next to a Banksy mural of a kitten on the remains of a destroyed house in Beit Hanoun, Gaza, in February 2015.
A Palestinian child stands next to a Banksy mural of a kitten on the remains of a destroyed house in Beit Hanoun, Gaza, in February 2015.
Mohammed Abed/AFP/Getty Images
A child in Beit Hanoun walks past a mural February 2015 that depicts children using an Israeli watchtower as a swing ride.
A child in Beit Hanoun walks past a mural February 2015 that depicts children using an Israeli watchtower as a swing ride.
Mohammed Abed/AFP/Getty Images
A Banksy mural depicting pigeons holding anti-immigration signs was destroyed by the local council in Clacton-on-Sea, England, in October 2014 after the council received complaints that the artwork was offensive.
A Banksy mural depicting pigeons holding anti-immigration signs was destroyed by the local council in Clacton-on-Sea, England, in October 2014 after the council received complaints that the artwork was offensive.
Courtesy Banksy
A Banksy work appears at a youth center in Bristol, England, in April 2014. Called "<a >Mobile Lovers</a>," it features a couple embracing while checking their cell phones. Members of the youth center took down the piece from a wall on a Bristol street and replaced it with a note saying the work was being held at the club "to prevent vandalism or damage being done." The discovery came shortly after another image believed to be by Banksy surfaced in Cheltenham, England.
A Banksy work appears at a youth center in Bristol, England, in April 2014. Called "Mobile Lovers," it features a couple embracing while checking their cell phones. Members of the youth center took down the piece from a wall on a Bristol street and replaced it with a note saying the work was being held at the club "to prevent vandalism or damage being done." The discovery came shortly after another image believed to be by Banksy surfaced in Cheltenham, England.
Matt Cardy/Getty Images
A boy walks past graffiti street art believed to be by Banksy in April 2014. The image depicts men in trench coats and dark glasses holding old-fashioned listening equipment -- apparently a commentary on government surveillance. The artwork appeared on the side of a house in Cheltenham near the Government Communications Headquarters, the UK equivalent of the National Security Agency.
A boy walks past graffiti street art believed to be by Banksy in April 2014. The image depicts men in trench coats and dark glasses holding old-fashioned listening equipment -- apparently a commentary on government surveillance. The artwork appeared on the side of a house in Cheltenham near the Government Communications Headquarters, the UK equivalent of the National Security Agency.
Matt Cardy/Getty Images
A set of balloons that reads "BANKSY!" is seen off the Long Island Expressway in Queens, New York, in October 2013. Banksy artwork appeared all over New York that month.
A set of balloons that reads "BANKSY!" is seen off the Long Island Expressway in Queens, New York, in October 2013. Banksy artwork appeared all over New York that month.
Courtesy Banksy
Banksy also offered up a T-shirt design on his website for fans to download and print on their own.
Banksy also offered up a T-shirt design on his website for fans to download and print on their own.
Courtesy Banksy
A leopard placed on the wall of New York's Yankee Stadium was revealed in October 2013.
A leopard placed on the wall of New York's Yankee Stadium was revealed in October 2013.
Courtesy Banksy
"The Banality of the Banality of Evil" actually started out as a thrift store painting in New York City. Once altered by Banksy, who inserted an image of a Nazi officer sitting on a bench, it was re-donated to the store in October 2013, according to the<a target="_blank" target="_blank"> artist's site</a>.
"The Banality of the Banality of Evil" actually started out as a thrift store painting in New York City. Once altered by Banksy, who inserted an image of a Nazi officer sitting on a bench, it was re-donated to the store in October 2013, according to the artist's site.
Courtesy Banksy
Banksy's art exhibit "Grim Reaper Bumper Car" sits on New York's Lower East Side in October 2013. The famously anonymous artist, whose paintings regularly go for six figures at auction houses around the world, said he was on a "residency on the streets of New York."
Banksy's art exhibit "Grim Reaper Bumper Car" sits on New York's Lower East Side in October 2013. The famously anonymous artist, whose paintings regularly go for six figures at auction houses around the world, said he was on a "residency on the streets of New York."
Jason Szenes/EPA/Landov
A Banksy piece covers the main entrance to Larry Flynt's Hustler Club in New York's Hell's Kitchen in October 2013.
A Banksy piece covers the main entrance to Larry Flynt's Hustler Club in New York's Hell's Kitchen in October 2013.
Joy Scheller/Barcroft Media /Landov
Banksy's replica of the Great Sphinx of Giza was made in Queens out of smashed cinder blocks.
Banksy's replica of the Great Sphinx of Giza was made in Queens out of smashed cinder blocks.
UPI/John Angelillo /LANDOV
Banksy's "Ghetto 4 Life" appeared in the Bronx in October 2013. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg suggested that Banksy was breaking the law with his guerrilla art exhibits, but the New York Police Department denied it was actively searching for him.
Banksy's "Ghetto 4 Life" appeared in the Bronx in October 2013. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg suggested that Banksy was breaking the law with his guerrilla art exhibits, but the New York Police Department denied it was actively searching for him.
Joy Scheller/Barcroft Media/Landov
Banksy art is seen on the Upper West Side of New York in October 2013.
Banksy art is seen on the Upper West Side of New York in October 2013.
Joy Scheller/Barcroft Media /Landov
Banksy work in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, was vandalized in broad daylight in October 2013.
Banksy work in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, was vandalized in broad daylight in October 2013.
JUSTIN LANE /LANDOV
One of Banksy's pieces is this fiberglass sculpture of Ronald McDonald having his shoes shined in front of a Bronx McDonald's.
One of Banksy's pieces is this fiberglass sculpture of Ronald McDonald having his shoes shined in front of a Bronx McDonald's.
Erik Pendzich/Rex USA
Graffiti depicting the Twin Towers popped up in the Tribeca neighborhood of New York in October 2013.
Graffiti depicting the Twin Towers popped up in the Tribeca neighborhood of New York in October 2013.
Daniel Pierce Wright/Getty Images
Banksy's <a target="_blank" target="_blank">"Sirens of the Lambs"</a> art installation tours the streets of Manhattan in October 2013. It was a fake slaughterhouse delivery truck full of stuffed animals.
Banksy's "Sirens of the Lambs" art installation tours the streets of Manhattan in October 2013. It was a fake slaughterhouse delivery truck full of stuffed animals.
ANDREW GOMBERT/EPA/Landov
Banksy's "Concrete Confessional" is seen on the Lower East Side of Manhattan.
Banksy's "Concrete Confessional" is seen on the Lower East Side of Manhattan.
JASON SZENES/EPA/Landov
A Banksy mural is seen on a wall in Queens. The quote is from the movie "Gladiator." It says, "What we do in life echoes in eternity."
A Banksy mural is seen on a wall in Queens. The quote is from the movie "Gladiator." It says, "What we do in life echoes in eternity."
JASON SZENES/EPA/LANDOV
A woman poses with Banksy's painting of a heart-shaped balloon covered in bandages. The piece, in the Red Hook neighborhood of Brooklyn, was defaced with red spray paint shortly after it was completed.
A woman poses with Banksy's painting of a heart-shaped balloon covered in bandages. The piece, in the Red Hook neighborhood of Brooklyn, was defaced with red spray paint shortly after it was completed.
Andrew Burton/Getty Images
A Banksy mural of a dog urinating on a fire hydrant draws attention
A Banksy mural of a dog urinating on a fire hydrant draws attention
Bebeto Matthews/AP
This installation, seen in October 2013, on the Lower East Side of New York, depicts stampeding horses in night-vision goggles. Thought to be a commentary on the Iraq War, it also included <a target="_blank" target="_blank">an audio soundtrack</a>.
This installation, seen in October 2013, on the Lower East Side of New York, depicts stampeding horses in night-vision goggles. Thought to be a commentary on the Iraq War, it also included an audio soundtrack.
Andrew Burton/Getty Images
Gallery assistants adjust Banksy's "Love Is in the Air" ahead of an auction in London in June 2013. The piece was sold for $248,776.
Gallery assistants adjust Banksy's "Love Is in the Air" ahead of an auction in London in June 2013. The piece was sold for $248,776.
JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images
"The Crayola Shooter" is found in Los Angeles in 2011. It shows a child wielding a machine gun and using crayons for bullets.
"The Crayola Shooter" is found in Los Angeles in 2011. It shows a child wielding a machine gun and using crayons for bullets.
Jason LaVeris/Getty
People walk past a Banksy painting of a dog urinating on a wall in Beverly Hills, California, in 2011.
People walk past a Banksy painting of a dog urinating on a wall in Beverly Hills, California, in 2011.
GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images
Banksy murals popped up around New Orleans a day before the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina in 2008.
Banksy murals popped up around New Orleans a day before the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina in 2008.
Sean Gardner/Getty Images
A silhouette of a child holding a refrigerator-shaped kite is seen on a wall in New Orleans in 2008.
A silhouette of a child holding a refrigerator-shaped kite is seen on a wall in New Orleans in 2008.
Sean Gardner/Getty Images
Graffiti on the side of a building in New Orleans shows an elderly person in a rocking chair under the banner, "No Loitering," in 2008.
Graffiti on the side of a building in New Orleans shows an elderly person in a rocking chair under the banner, "No Loitering," in 2008.
Chris Graythen/Getty Images
A scene titled "Chicken Nuggets," from Banksy's "The Village Pet Store and Charcoal Grill," is seen in New York in 2008.
A scene titled "Chicken Nuggets," from Banksy's "The Village Pet Store and Charcoal Grill," is seen in New York in 2008.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
A man walks past a Banksy piece in London in 2006.
A man walks past a Banksy piece in London in 2006.
Dave Etheridge-Barnes/Getty Images
A stenciled image of two policemen kissing is seen in London in 2005.
A stenciled image of two policemen kissing is seen in London in 2005.
Paul Hartnett/PYMCA/Getty
Banksy, the elusive street artist
CNN  — 

Banksy’s mural of a workman chiseling away at a star in the European Union flag mysteriously disappeared from the side of a building in Dover, England, over the weekend.

The mural, which adorned the Castle Amusements building since 2017, symbolized Brexit, the United Kingdom’s impending departure from the EU.

David Joseph Wright, who is from Dover, told CNN that four-tier scaffolding was erected beside the famous street artist’s mural on Saturday and the artwork was gone by the next morning.

The mural had become a landmark in Dover, the ferry port that connects the UK with France. Tourists had often stopped to see the painting and take selfies with an original Banksy.

On Saturday, scaffolding was erected beside the mural.
On Saturday, scaffolding was erected beside the mural.
David Joseph Wright

“Why??? I can’t understand why they’ve whitewashed this masterpiece,” Lisa Green-Jones, a resident of Dover, said on Facebook.

“It’s an absolutely tragedy. I had family over from Ireland recently and when we got to town the first thing they said was can we go see the Banksy.”

By Sunday, the mural had disappeared.
By Sunday, the mural had disappeared.
David Joseph Wright

The Godden family, which owns the building on which the mural is painted, had previously expressed interest in selling the artwork, according to The Telegraph.

Banksy and the tradition of destroying art

“We can confirm that we are exploring options for the retention, removal or sale of the piece.” the family said in a statement in 2017, adding that they “will look to benefit local charities with proceeds from any sale of the piece.”

Although it’s not yet clear whether the Brexit-themed mural was taken away or painted over, its sudden disappearance left locals uneasy.

“I don’t mind it being covered up as it was criminal damage by graffitiing on the building (which is) marked to be demolished and now it’s gone,” said Wright.

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banksy shredded art
Banksy's shredded artwork renamed
01:31 - Source: CNN

He said he was glad it would no longer remind him of Brexit, before expressing trepidation for the future.

“I want to remain in the EU and I am fearing what’s going happen when we leave the EU on October 31,” he said.

Banksy crashes Venice Biennale with street stall

Other Dover residents took to social media to voice their anger over the mural’s disappearance.

“On behalf of the people of Dover, I would like to deplore the obliteration of our Banksy. Cultural vandalism of the highest order,” tweeted Dover resident Peter Garstin.

“Don’t think I have ever heard of another town, village or city etc that have ever painted over a “Banksy”! OMG Dover what are you doing!” Zara White said on Facebook.

Street artist Banksy has yet to comment on the disappearance of his work.