A newly discovered Banksy mural in Marseille,France,became the target of vandalism but was quickly restored by local artists. The artwork, located in the Catalans area near Vallon-des-Auffes, was defaced with an obscene tag just two days after its appearance.

The Defacement and Discovery

• The Banksy piece, a lighthouse accompanied by the phrase I want to be what you saw in me, was found on a discreet street in Marseille’s 7th arrondissement.
• The vandalism involved a crude drawing of testicles painted around the stencil.

Swift Restoration Efforts

the defacement was promptly addressed by two local artists:

• Agnès Perrone: A heritage decor painter who had begun applying anti-graffiti protection to the work. We had started yesterday to put an anti-graffiti protection varnish to protect the work. It is necessary to apply four layers so that the protective varnish is really operational. And the tag was done overnight.
• Richard Campana: A Marseille painter, plastic artist, illustrator, and poster artist, who restored the stencil. Campana stated, I just have the impression of bringing something to a magnificent artistic gesture. There it is me happy to do that. He had previously created several frescoes in the same area about 20 years ago.

Authenticity Confirmed

The authenticity of the Banksy artwork was verified through the artist’s Instagram account. Ah yes, he authenticated her on his Instagram account, we are certain, Agnès Perrone confirmed to onlookers.

• The artwork appeared shortly after a post on Banksy’s Instagram, claiming the work without further comment.

Tribute to a Mentor?

Speculation arose regarding the artwork’s meaning, with some suggesting it was a tribute to a deceased mentor. Banksy probably came to put this work to pay tribute to his deceased mentor, Agnès Perrone suggested.