Bungay murals painted over after council deemed them unauthorised

7 December 2023

Guy Campbell & Shannon EustaceBBC News, Suffolk

News image — Six murals were painted by Vinnie Nylon across Bungay, five of which appeared on listed buildings

Nicholas Usherwood A mural — Six murals were painted by Vinnie Nylon across Bungay, five of which appeared on listed buildings

Street art was painted over after a council said it had not been authorised.

In August, The Fisher Theatre in Bungay commissioned artist Vinnie Nylon to paint six murals across the town.

East Suffolk Council said the art "constituted unauthorised work to a listed building" and ordered for it to be removed.

Theatre co-curator Rosemary Grieve said the murals "will stay in people's memory".

Guy Campbell/BBC Member of the theatre company painting over a mural — Five of the six murals were painted over, as they appeared on listed buildings

The murals, which appeared in August, were designed to bring more art to the town for the community to enjoy.

Nicholas Usherwood, curator at the Fisher Theatre, said: "The general reaction, I would say, has been about 75 to 80% favourable.

"They were terrific pieces of work. I loved them but they were always going to be temporary - a little bit more temporary than we probably anticipated."

Despite gaining permission from building owners, the council said "listed building consent needed to have been sought" before painting began.

"Enforcement action was taken as the murals were not considered to preserve or enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area,'' the council added.

Guy Campbell/BBC One of the murals — The sixth mural would remain "for as long as anybody wants it" said Nicholas Usherwood

Over the last few days, theatre members have painted over five of the murals while wearing makeshift "Suffolk Art Police" signs.

Just one mural remains on view, as it was painted on a modern, unlisted structure.

Mr Usherwood said: "It will stay for as long as anybody wants it."

Guy Campbell/BBC Nicholas Usherwood — Nicholas Usherwood said he was "very sad" that the murals had to be removed so soon

Emma Thompson, co-curator at the theatre, helped to paint over one of the murals.

She said: "I feel very proud that the painting was there in the first place."

Ms Grieve added: "A lot has come from this in terms of being inspired. There's opportunity now to perhaps do something bigger - a big street art trail or a festival.

"It's like [when] you drop a stone in the water and lots of things ripple - this was the beginning of something."