On Sunday morning (August 23), local content creator Lisa Doing Stuff took to social media to inform others of this new addition in front of the long-stretching views of Whitmore Bay.
A wooden sign displaying the word ‘BARRYBADOS’ had appeared in the dead of night, sparking interest and intrigue from locals, visitors, and lovers of all things Barry.
The term has become synonymous with the seafront on the Island, with many simply referring to the area as such instead of its ‘real’ name – one of the long-standing local businesses that promotes all things local is even named after the nickname for the town, showing just how much the people of Barry love the area.
The artist has coined themselves as ‘Barry Banksy’ – a fitting term for this new anonymous street artist.
Unlike Banksy, this artist is a little more conscious of the environment in which his art appears.
Banksy’s art is often permanent and based on a political and social commentary – Barry Banksy seems to be producing their art simply for the love of the town and to create conversation.
This artist has taken consideration for their surroundings, accompanying the artwork with a sign asking people to “be careful” as the sign is not fixed to the concrete because they “didn’t want to cause any damage.”
The sign also simply asks people not to “burn or steal” the artwork that appeared at a time when the town was already feeling artistic, thanks to the weekend-long Paint Worx street and graffiti art festival in Central Park.
The festival featured a range of live art and brought some colour to the town centre in the form of impressive graffiti art on the side of buildings and throughout the park.
The question that many are asking is ‘what is next for Barry Banksy?’
Will Barry get its own answer to Dismaland?
Or will Barry Banksy produce artwork worth thousands of pounds?
For now, the mystery of Barry Banky’s identity is enough to keep the people of Barry on the edge of their seats.