A Banksy which appeared on the side of a house in Margate last year is returning to the town as talks continue over a possible sale.
The work by the celebrated street artist appeared on a property in Park Place, close to Dreamland, on February 14, 2023. Banksy confirmed it was one of his works and revealed it was called ‘Valentine’s Day Mascara’.
It features a 1950s housewife, with a black eye and chipped tooth, pushing what appears to be the perpetrator of the injuries into a freezer.
The owner of the property appointed a London gallery to handle the work – removing it from the wall of the house and it has, since then, toured various galleries while talks continued about a sale.
Originally put on show at Dreamland, it is now returning from a long stay in the capital and is now on display at The Wonderworks at iconic model firm Hornby’s Margate headquarters.
It is expected to be on show for the next three months.
Olly Raeburn, CEO of Hornby Hobbies, said: “Banksy’s ‘Valentine’s Day Mascara’ has a special place in Margate’s heart, and we’re honoured to provide a new home for it at The WonderWorks.
“This move underscores Hornby’s commitment to the Margate community, which has supported us for seven decades, as well as our dedication to the world of collecting—a world that values treasured items and their stories.”
Visitors will be able to see the work – once valued at £6 million – for free. Donations to the Oasis Domestic Abuse charity, which will eventually benefit through its sale, are encouraged.
Hornby is part-owned by the Castelnau Group which also owns Showpiece – a firm appointed to sell shares in the work for £120 each last year.
Owners of the shares will be bought out – apparently for £150 each – when the work is sold.
