Did Banksy visit Bury St Edmunds Moyse's Hall Museum before going on his 'Great British Spraycation' in Lowestoft, Great Yarmouth, Gorleston and Oulton Broad
An art collector believes anonymous street artist Banksy may have visited an exhibition in Bury St Edmunds before going on his 'Spraycation' across two counties.
According to art dealer John Brandler, who is a Banksy collector and follower, the artist may have been in the region after visiting the Moments exhibition at Moyse's Hall Museum, where there are 18 original pieces of his work on display.
Last week, eight Banksy-style murals appeared across Suffolk and Norfolk including at Great Yarmouth, Gorleston, Oulton Broad and Lowestoft, now confirmed as the work of the world-renowned graffiti artist.
Mr Brandler owns the Banksy works at the Moyse's Hall exhibition which has been running at the museum throughout the summer.
Banksy is said to visit exhibitions where his original works are on display and Brandler thinks this is why the new Banksy works appeared in the region.
"What we think happened was that Banksy went to the exhibition in Bury St Edmunds where there are 18 or 19 pieces by him, and he went from there to the east coast."
Moyse's Hall's Moments exhibition has been hailed as 'one of the biggest modern art exhibitions' running at this time outside London.
One of the central pieces is Banksy's Hula Hoop girl.
It sits alongside 123 other works including pieces by Damien Hurst and Tracey Emin.
Museum heritage officer, Dan Clarke, said: "We had been told he does often visit exhibitions where his work is on display so had been keeping our eye out.
"He must be in his 50s now if he started in the 1990s.
"We've also had some bookings from Bristol, where Banksy is based, and were particularly intrigued by one booking made by a couple in the city.
"We aren't sure but we have had some cool looking characters visit us, and it could be likely he has been.
"The fact that it has now been confirmed the works in Suffolk and Norfolk are his, is even more intriguing.
"It's great to think he might have been here."
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