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'Banksy' unmasked - Loose Primary School in Maidstone reveals identity of artist behind mural

By: Luke May

Published: 10:00, 20 May 2019

Updated: 10:04, 20 May 2019

The mystery of a "Banksy" mural at Loose Primary School has finally been unravelled.

Pupils at the Maidstone school returned after half term to find an inspiring mural painted on the school walls.

Looking at its style and it sudden appearance, whispers began to circulate the graffiti could be that of Banksy.

Darren Webb, executive head with some of his pupils and the Banksy-style graffiti at Loose Primary School. Picture: Chris Davey (9080423)

After weeks of anticipation, the school revealed who was behind the mural on Friday.

Special educational needs teacher Laura James said: "Our senior leadership team decided we wanted a really big mural to help inspire the children.

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"Together we came up with the idea of doing it in the style of graffiti, it's given us the chance to start a debate with pupils on whether graffiti is art or a crime.

Daniel 8 (left) and Harry 8 (right) practise their skills at Loose Primary School with Graffiti Kings artist Graham Golden. Picture: Sean Aidan 10538106

"Graham Golden from Graffiti Kings was interested in coming and creating the piece for us.

""The whole idea was actually the children's, though they don't realise. We surveyed them about their curriculum and what they wanted.

"They told us they wanted to learn more about street art and graffiti."

London based company Graffiti Kings was revealed as the firm behind the mural at Loose Primary School last week. Picture: Sean Aidan (10538110)

Pupils have been trying to figure out who painted the mural, which depicts a young girl penning the words "you're never too young to dream big", since it appeared in mid-April.

Mrs James said: "We mocked up some CCTV footage and left a can at the scene. Then the children had to write an email saying who they thought was behind it.

"About half of pupils were saying it was Banksy, some were trying to figure out if it was one of the male teachers with a secret artistic side.

"It's been a focus of learning for our pupils, it's helped with their creative writing and their artwork since."

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Graham Golden, also known as G-Man, was revealed as the man behind the mural on Friday, bringing the school's creative whodunit to a close.

Mrs James added: "He spent the day with the children holding graffiti workshops and talking to them about the piece.

"At the end of the day he revealed who he was. Of course some of the pupils asked if he was Banksy.

"He said 'I couldn't possibly say.' So there's still a sense of mystery."

For more news around Maidstone, click here.

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