Mural Painted Over Following Property Owner's Objection
A mural depicting 19th Century engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, which appeared on the side of a building, has been painted over after the property owner stated they were not consulted for permission.
The artwork was created by artist Steve Jenkins on a building located on Neath Road in Briton Ferry, Neath Port Talbot. It was funded and unveiled earlier this year by Neath Port Talbot councillor Gareth Rice.
However, the property owner expressed surprise, saying no one had contacted them regarding the mural, and the painting came as an unexpected development.
Brunel is recognized as one of the most "versatile and audacious" engineers of his era, credited with constructing Briton Ferry Dock to facilitate coal and goods transport for the Vale of Neath Railway.
The picture, by artist Steve Jenkins, has now been painted over
Last month, Councillor Rice posted on social media that he believed he had obtained permission but acknowledged that the mural would need to be removed. The mural was subsequently painted over this week.
"I was disappointed, but I respect the owner's right to do what they want with their property,"Rice stated.
The councillor also mentioned the possibility of identifying an alternative location for a mural in the future.
Steve Jenkins, also known as Jenks Art, is known for other murals including one of the Eastenders character Dot Cotton and a Welsh dragon mural in Carmarthenshire, which has elicited mixed reactions from the public.
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