Banksy's Create Escape

Banksy always amazing

The art is absolutely incredible but reading council needs to make it so you can see it properly the plastic covering it makes it really hard to see and the metal barrier are ugly

Banksy's Create Escape is a stencil mural that appeared on the outside wall of Reading Prison in Reading, England on March 1, 2021. The mural depicts a figure dressed in a striped prison uniform rappelling down the wall on a rope made of knotted bedsheets, with a typewriter tied to the end. The figure is widely believed to be Oscar Wilde, who was imprisoned in Reading Gaol for two years in the 1890s for gross indecency.The mural was created at a time when the prison was due to be demolished, and many people saw it as a statement of support for the campaign to save the building. The mural also sparked a debate about the nature of art and vandalism, and the role of street art in public spaces.ReviewCreate Escape is a powerful and thought-provoking work of art. It is both visually striking and intellectually stimulating. The mural is beautifully executed, with Banksy's characteristic attention to detail and his mastery of the stencil technique. The figure of the escaping prisoner is both heroic and vulnerable, and the typewriter suggests the power of creativity and the importance of freedom of expression.The mural is also rich in symbolism. The figure of Oscar Wilde is a reminder of the persecution of LGBTQ+ people, and the mural can be seen as a call for tolerance and understanding. The prison wall itself is a symbol of oppression, and the act of escaping represents the triumph of the human spirit.Create Escape is a complex and multifaceted work of art that can be interpreted in many different ways. It is a reminder of the power of art to challenge authority and to inspire social change. It is also a celebration of human creativity and the pursuit of freedom.Critical receptionCreate Escape was met with critical acclaim, with many praising Banksy's artistry and his social commentary. The mural was also popular with the public, and it became a tourist attraction in Reading.However, the mural was also controversial. Some people criticized it for vandalism, while others argued that it was disrespectful to the memory of Oscar Wilde. However, the majority of people seemed to appreciate the mural as a work of art and a powerful statement against oppression.ConclusionCreate Escape is one of Banksy's most iconic and powerful works of art. It is a visually stunning and intellectually stimulating mural that has sparked a debate about the nature of art and vandalism, and the role of street art in public spaces. The mural is also a reminder of the power of art to challenge authority and to inspire social change.

Dominic Raab, Secretary of State for Justice Victoria Atkins, Ministry of State of Prisons and Probation House of CommonsLondonSW1A 0AASAVE READING GAOLDear Mr Raab & Ms AtkinsI understand the Ministry of Justice is again marketing Reading Prison for sale after it decided the local Council's £2.6 million bid was not of a high enough monetary value.It would be a disastrous mistake if the Ministry of Justice were to go against the swellof local opinion and the wishes of the local council and sell this valuable historic siteto the highest bidder to convert into housing or a hotel.This would be a triumph of a blinkered short termism against a more imaginative and ultimately more economically beneficial decision. The site of Oscar Wilde's incarceration would draw people from afar, economically benefitting the wider region and creating a significant tourist attraction. We urge you to embrace the unique chance to make Reading Gaol the world class destination it deserves to be.This opportunity will never come around again.Yours sincerelyRichard of Reading

Our own Banksy artwork in Reading on the gaol wall. When it originally appeared, there were many people curious enough to visit causing problems with congestion on the pavements. After the artwork was vandalised, it was covered over with a Perspex cover. You wouldn’t know it was there today!

First Banksy I have seen in the wild. Worth walking by, although the plexiglass does give a glare on pictures.Called Create Escape.On the side of the old prison where Oscar Wilde jailed was for having a relationship with a man. A local on the boat tour said Banksy painted it there to help with efforts to stop them from demolishing the building and if they turn it into an art center, Banksy will give them money for it.