COUNTY NEWS: New Banksy-inspired graffiti spotted in Sussex

The new work comes only a few months after ‘The Big Deal’ which shows children swapping bank notes appeared in the same city at North Pallant.

Both are created using stencils which has led pieces by the Weston-super-Mare born and bred JPS to often be mistaken for being Banksy’s handiwork.

This link is not accidental as JPS cites Banksy - arguably the most famous artist in the genre - as having changed his life.

JPS’s website states visiting an exhibition of his in Bristol in 2009 was the turning point.

The 37-year-old street artist said: “Five and a half years ago, I was homeless from drink and drugs, two of my friends were murdered when I was 19 and I went down a bad path.

“I’m from a tough estate and I lost a lot of friends. I hid my grief through drink, and wasted 12 years of my life.

“Then in 2009 I went to visit the Banksy show in Bristol and I thought ‘hey I could do that’. I was into fine art when I was younger, but Banksy inspired me, he saved my life and I respect him.”

Work by JPS has reportedly been featured at the Tate Modern and in a Hyundai advert, but he acknowledges the format divides opinion.

“It’s not that I just wanna damage a wall, I’m very careful where I do my pieces,” he said. “What’s art for some isn’t for others.”

Find out more at www.jpsart.co.uk

What do you think of the works?