A graffiti vandal has defaced artwork and left their ‘tag’ on walls across Burnham-On-Sea town centre.
Street artwork by artist John D’Oh is among the materials that has been ‘tagged’ with silver spray paint this week.
Artwork affected includes material on the walls of The Victoria Hotel in Victoria Street, Vape Escape in Chapel Street and Nick Tolley Photography in Abingdon Street, plus a wall in Princess Street and several shop shutters in the town centre.
Speaking to Burnham-On-Sea.com, Victoria Hotel publican Shaun McCann said: “I am gutted this has happened when it took the artists so much time and effort to produce it.”
“I just don’t understand why someone would do this – you don’t expect it here in Burnham ad I hope the culprit is found.”
Artist John D’Oh told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “I happened to be painting on Friday morning in Burnham when Shaun from the Victoria Hotel called me over and told me about the vandalism that has taken place and I could see he was visibly upset and so he should be.”
“I am aware that there is a division in Burnham on Sea between those who love the artwork that adorns the streets and those who deplore it. It is such a shame when landlords and property owners give up their walls to be used as canvases for the community and tourists to enjoy have their properties then vandalized.”
“Over the last couple of years artists have painted in Burnham they have hopefully shown that all street art and graffiti is not vandalism and that it can help add colour and maybe bring tourists to Burnham. I am hoping that this negative act does not effect the up and coming festival.”
Sophie Nicholson, one of the organisers of next weekend’s BOSfest which will include street art displays, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “We have plans to sort out the problems that have occurred but I will ask whoever it is that has done it to come forward, apologise and be there when we make right the wrong that’s been done.”
“If these youths would like to show the spray artists next weekend what they are capable of then I’m happy to keep a board free but please don’t deface other art that has many hours, time and effort put into it. Massively disrespectful and disappointing for this small town.”
