Banksy-like street art has appeared in Glasgow just after an official exhibition of his work opened in the city. The artist says they are fake

The new works of art appearing overnight on the streets of Glasgow, and which some suspected to be by Banksy, are nothing. The stenciled pieces depict rats, one of Banksy’s classic subjects, but the anonymous British street artist’s studio told the BBC the paintings were imitations.

One piece showed a rat playing a broken marching drum emblazoned with the words “God save the King” and wearing a Union Jack hat. His tail is caught in a baited trap with a copy of the British tabloid owned by Rupert Murdoch The sun. Spotted on Wednesday, it was partially repainted on Thursday, according to the BBC.

The works appeared just after the opening of an official exhibition of Banksy’s work in the Scottish town. But Glasgow City Council told the PA news agency the works were fakes. “Anyone who wants to be sure to see a real Banksy should visit the exhibition at GoMA [Gallery of Modern Art]“said a spokesperson for the council.

‘Cut and Run’ is Banksy’s first official exhibition in 14 years and is on view in Glasgow until August 28. It includes a replica of an artist’s studio and works of art from 1998 to the present day. The exhibition “takes people inside the practice and reflection on one of the world’s most famous street artists, through works of art, artifacts and personal objects, including his toilets, many of which have never been exposed before”. Richard Whitdington wrote in Artnet News earlier this month.

Real works by Banksy can generate huge headaches. A British couple recently paid nearly $250,000 to remove an official work from their building, in part because they had been informed that the municipal council, in order to protect the new tourist attraction, would require them to maintain it at an annual cost of approximately $49,000.

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