Tower Hamlets council today took down a nine-metre-high banner featuring the face of mayor Lutfur Rahman after coming under fire for hanging it over a mural by an internationally-renowned artist.
The vinyl banner promoting the area’s new status as “Curry Capital 2012”
covered the image of a crane by Belgian artist Peter Roa on the side of a
building near Brick Lane.
More than 1,200 residents signed a petition opposing it and accused the council
of being “incredibly shortsighted”. Tower Hamlets today announced the banner
had been removed.
Roa, originally from Ghent, is known for his giant black and white animal
street art visible on the sides of buildings in New York, London and Paris.
One campaigner, who started the petition urging the council to reconsider,
said: “Every day hundreds of people are captivated by a beautiful piece of
artwork that was given to the people of Tower Hamlets.
“The artist asked for nothing in return, making this an incredibly selfless
gift to the residents of east London. We feel it is completely unnecessary and
against the wishes of many of the people to cover over a cultural icon with a
large advertisement.”
Brick Lane was named Curry Capital 2012 as part of a deal with Olympic
organisers to maximise the benefits the Games will bring to residents and local
businesses. The council has not yet made a decision on whether the banner
should be given planning permission, but the consultation period ends next
week.
A Tower Hamlets council spokeswoman said today that the banner was “put up
early in error”. She said: “We don’t have planning permission as yet so we have
taken it down. It was removed early this morning around 7am.”
The council previously said the banners would be “removed after the Olympic and
Paralympic Games”. She said: “Tower Hamlets is preparing to welcome the world
and the banner reflects the borough’s pride.”
