In the late 1990s, a youth club in Lawrence Weston, Bristol, became an unlikely canvas for one of the world's most enigmatic artists—Banksy. During his time as a senior youth worker, Banksy collaborated with local children, crafting murals that were vibrant, meaningful, and left a lasting impact on the community. Despite the ephemeral nature of these artworks, their influence resonates within the memories of those who participated.
Banksy, then relatively unknown, was dedicated to inspiring a generation of young people through art. He worked closely with the children at the youth club, creating murals that were not only vivid in color but rich in meaning. These collaborative efforts saw Banksy return to the club multiple times, engaging a revolving door of 11 to 16-year-olds who were blissfully unaware of the artist's future fame.
One notable mural from this period depicted a teddy bear hurling a Molotov cocktail at three riot police. This piece emerged around the same time as Banksy's first large stencil mural in Stokes Croft, titled "Mild Mild West." Another mural, which Peter, a senior youth worker, believes nodded to climate anxiety, featured a circus overrun by robots—a theme he found obscure.
The collaboration was a genuine partnership between Banksy and the young participants. Peter recalls, "In the morning, he sat around a table with the children, talking about their ideas. Then they would all just muck in and spray these things that were invented. It wasn't more Banksy than the young people; it was definitely a kind of 50/50 thing."
Peter's reflection on this period highlights the artist's humility and commitment to community engagement. "The thing that struck me back then was he didn't really have an ego. He was doing art with them rather than doing art for them," Peter noted. The youth club workshops were accessible, with Banksy initially receiving only £50 for his efforts—a sum likely covering just the cost of spray paints.
Despite the murals' eventual erasure, Peter harbors no regrets. "I personally painted over a Banksy. I threw a Banksy stencil away when I was clearing up," he admitted candidly. His focus was on engaging young people in meaningful activities, not preserving what would later become valuable artwork. "Back then, it was much more about working with and engaging young people. And it was just another art project back then," Peter explained.
The experience left an indelible mark on the community. According to Peter, "There will be [those who were] young people in the local community who are parents now who worked with Banksy, and they may not know that." The collaborative spirit fostered during these workshops fostered creativity and camaraderie among participants.
Photographs from this era capture the essence of these sessions. "If you look at the photos, you can see the way he was working with the young people," Peter de Boer remarked. "They were engaged, having fun and sharing ideas. It was a true collaboration."
Banksy's involvement at the youth club exemplified his dedication to using art as a tool for empowerment rather than financial gain. "I don't think he's ever been in it for the money," Peter stated. "It shows what a deep, kind and caring person he is."
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