Spoof art competition may ban ‘Banksea’ entry

THE judges of a spoof art competition yesterday threatened to disqualify an entry they suspect was submitted by guerrilla artist Banksy – for being “too good”.

Under the strict rules of the Turnip Prize, which is held in a Somerset pub every year, entrants hoping to walk away with the top prize must spend as little time on their “artwork” as possible.

But one of this year’s contenders has a suspicious whiff of professionalism about it and the judging panel are not impressed.

Left outside the Wedmore home of organiser Trevor Prideaux, the piece bears an uncanny resemblance to the work of Banksy, the Bristol-born graffiti artist, whose fans include Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.

It was submitted anonymously by someone claiming to be ‘Banksea’ and shows a faceless figure holding a rocket launcher and firing a turnip over a pier and an emergency exit sign. The notoriously secretive artist, who found fame with a series of politically-motivated paintings on city street walls, never confirms or denies if he is responsible for an artwork.

If it is a real Banksy it could be worth tens of thousands of pounds.

And therein lies the problem. The time and effort which has been invested in the artwork makes it a long shot for the coveted competition’s top prize.

The Turnip Awards was created nine years ago to poke fun at the “pretentious” Turner prize and celebrates truly appalling art.

The trophy, a turnip nailed through a plank of wood, usually ends up in the hands of the entrant who has spent the least amount of time on it.

Mr Prideaux said he and his fellow judges would have to make a decision on whether to allow Banksea’s effort into the competition.

“It does seem to be in Banksy’s style and the fact it was left anonymously on my doorstep does add to the possibility that it could well be one of his. But we do disqualify those who are perceived to have used too much effort.

The Banksea artwork is on display at the New Inn, Wedmore, where it faces stiff competition from a number of awful exhibits crafted by pub regulars.