Swindon 'Banksy' street art disappears from bus depot wall

In March 2021, a black and white image of a boy, similar to those produced by the legendary urban artist was painted onto the wall of the abandoned Stagecoach bus depot building on Eastcott Road.

It depicted a street urchin carrying a sign that said "Wild £ man on the run. Heading for Bristol. Dodge News."

The Wild£man on the run piece that appear in Swindon on March 2021 and was suspected to have been done by famous street artist Banksy. (Image: Newsquest)

Its appearance sparked quite a stir in Swindon at the time with many thinking it could be the latest in Banksy's growing collection of pointed satirical and political artworks flocking to see it in person. 

It was even guarded by a private security van and car for weeks after it was first discovered but the legendary grafitti artist never claimed it as one of his own, so interest died down, the guard left, and the possibility it was a Banksy eventually dissipated. 

The artwork was also vandalised soon after it was discovered, but is now no longer visible on the wall it was painted on. 

A security van blocks the 'Wild£man on the run' suspected Banksy on the side of the old Stagecoach depot in Swindon from public view. (Image: Newsquest)

Eastcott ward councillor Marina Strinkovsky said: "I live just around the corner from the old Stagecoach depot and have watched the gradual destruction of the newsboy with sadness. Banksy or not, it was an interesting addition to the urban landscape and it’s a shame it was vandalised.

"The abandoned depot is an eyesore in the area and we as ward councillors would love to see it redeveloped into much-needed high-quality housing. We understand that planning permission had been granted but no development has begun.

"Fortunately, since 2021 when the mural first appeared we’ve had lots of great developments in the street art scene in Swindon, with murals now decorating many walls around Eastcott and beyond.

Another 'street artist' vandalised the suspected Banksy in Swindon by painting over it. (Image: Newsquest)

"The one on the corner of Pembroke Street was only just finished a couple of weeks ago – I saw the artists at work, it was really fascinating.

"We also have PaintFest coming back for a second year in August/September, it will be a great celebration of community art and I’m sure will add many cool artworks to the town. Check them out on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/swindonpaintfest/."

The debate over whether or not it was a Banksy will likely never be answered. At the time people thought it might be. 

Local street artist Inca Mole said at the time: "Let's hope its a genuine one. Here is why I think it is," before pointing out its timing to Banksy's Oscar Wilde piece in Reading and the Swindon piece could be interpreted as referencing Oscar Wilde. 

But Banksy, who will often but not always claim pieces as his own on social media, remained quiet over this one. 

A bare wall where the 'Wild£man on the run' artwork, once suspected to have been done by Banksy, used to be. (Image: Newsquest)

Last year, another local, Alex Nutt, commented about the artwork's worsening condition on the Swindon Community Notice Board and said he knew it was a Banksy describing it as "the only Banksy self-portrait". 

He said: "It was done on the return trip from doing the Reading Prison piece. A simple paint comparison would have shown that. But now it’s lost forever, off to join the likes of the Tabernacle, etc.

"The irony being that, given Banksy's anonymity, the only self-portrait in existence would have been priceless.

"But just as the original graffiti was lost on so many, so then is its value."

The Adver has made multiple attempts to confirm whether or not 'Wild£man on the run' was a genuine Banksy or not with the man himself via his press contact, but has never received a response.