What is art?

Visitors to Folkestone can now decide for themselves, thanks to The Plinth, an open invitation for anyone to display something, launched in conjunction with the long-awaited return of street artist Banksy’s Art Buff .

The work of a woman gazing at an empty plinth, was originally installed in 2014 with Banksy saying it was “part of the Folkestone Triennial. Kind of”.

Now it is back, back causing a similar stir on the streets of Folkestone, six years after it first appeared, having been re-installed on Folkestone’s Old High Street in the Creative Quarter.

Along with it are 10 other vacant plinths in outdoor locations around the town waiting for people to use them to display their lockdown creations, artistic talents and special objects, offering a unique opportunity to showcase artistic talent, display meaningful objects and share ideas, in celebration of Folkestone, community and creativity.

In the first few days of their arrival, the plinths had been adorned with people, dogs, toys, hats and artwork.

Creative Folkestone’s chief executive Alastair Upton said: “Folkestone is creative. By returning the Banksy to the Creative Quarter and presenting The Plinth we hope that we can inspire others to get creative this autumn. After everything that has happened this year we are proud to be offering space for people to get creative once again. Folkestone loved the Banksy, with the woman pondering the empty plinth - I can’t wait to see what people place there for her, and everyone else, to see.”

Anyone can display their work on one of the plinths, take a picture and share it on social media. Alongside the empty plinths, there are also three specially-commissioned plinths with works by local artists Malcolm Allen, Maureen Jordan and Tomas Poblete, plus a performance plinth painted on the floor of Payers Park for a programme of music, dance and the spoken word.

The Plinth will run until Sunday, November 8.

Find out more at creativefolkestone.org.uk and use #FolkestonePlinth on social media with your pictures.

For more arts and entertainments news across Kent click here.