Spoof art panel may ban 'Banksea'

Pic: Mid Soms News

The judges of a spoof art competition said they may disqualify an entry they suspect was submitted by guerrilla artist Banksy - for being "too good."

The work, put forward anonymously by someone giving the name "Banksea", is in the running for the Turnip Prize, held every year at a Somerset pub.

It shows a figure holding a rocket launcher and firing a turnip over a pier and an emergency exit sign.

Organiser Trevor Prideaux said too much effort in the work made it a long shot.

Hollywood favourite

Bristol-born graffiti artist Banksy is notoriously secretive, but his work sells for thousands of pounds.

His fans include Hollywood stars such as Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.

"It does seem to be in Banksy's style and the fact it was left anonymously on my doorstep does add to the possibility that it could well be one of his," said Mr Prideaux.

"But we do disqualify those who are perceived to have used too much effort.

"Someone has thought too much about this one and tried too hard. So for that reason it's not likely to win. The odds are very long on it."

He said the judges would be meeting to discuss the matter during the first round of the process.

The Turnip Award was started in Wedmore in 1999, to poke fun at the "pretentious" Turner Prize.

Other entries on display at the New Inn this year include Thyme Flies - a dead fly in an empty jar of thyme; Pay Per View -a blank piece of A4 paper from an artist called Blanksey; and Dog Gawn, which is simply a dog lead and a collar.

The winner will be announced at the pub on 3 December.