Man nicknamed ‘Newark Banksy’ after repainting and renovating signs across Newark and Balderton
A mysterious artist who has spent months repainting and renovating neglected signs across the town centre has been nicknamed ‘Newark Banksy’ by a resident.
The artist, who wishes to remain anonymous, has painted around 60 to 70 signs around Newark and Balderton over the past few months and claims that it is ‘important that we care about stuff’.
Some of the street signs that were revamped include Wetsyke Lane, Massey Street, Sydney Street, Alliance Buildings, Alliance Street and Lawrence Street.
The resident is passionate about the town and wants to instil a ‘deep sense of community pride’ by repainting the signs in his own time, out of his own pocket.
When asked about what inspired him to revive the signs, the artist said: “I love history and have come to love my adopted town. Because why should I expect something to be done if I can do it myself.
”Because we should be coming together as a community and not trying to divide it.
”Because I enjoy doing them.”
He said he doesn’t want to be named as he doesn’t require validation as the work he is doing isn’t about him about ‘about history and our community’.
David Fargher, the man behind Newark Guide, has nicknamed the artist as the Newark Banksy, “not because they're out spray-painting masterpieces on the side of the Town Hall, but because, like the famous street artist, nobody really knows who they are — and they would like to keep it that way.
“Banksign sounded weird. Cast Iron Crusader was too dramatic. And the Histor-iron was a mouthful.
“It’s also so very heart-warming to see that in our current world of internet clout and chasing ‘likes’, this person is doing it simply because they want to, with no recognition.”
The feedback on the artist’s work has been very positive across social media, with people highlighting the artist’s kindness, humility and civic pride.
The man behind the signs said that he has been around the villages of Newark and Sherwood District and is making mental notes, meaning that in the future, signs out of town might show up revamped overnight.