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Banksy in Berkeley?

By Gar Smith
Sunday June 20, 2010 - 03:09:00 PM
Is it Banksy's work?
Gar Smith
Is it Banksy's work?
Gar Smith

Anyone who enjoyed the big-screen documentary hit "Please Exit through the Gift Shop" might want to check out a parking lot wall in downtown Berkeley. 

"Please Exit" celebrates the wall art of a shadowy Britishh graffiti guerilla who goes by the nom de flume, "Banksy." 

Banksy recently visited the Bay Area. When his art started appearing on walls in North Beach, City officials initially threatened to have the "unauthorized" art removed. Until, that is, local residents pointed out that (1) Banksy is an international artist of some repute and (b) they really liked the cheeky new images on their crusty old walls. 

And now it appears that Banksy may have left his mark in Berkeley. In early June, the image of a winged soldier mysteriously appeared on the wall of a parking lot at the corner of Shattuck and Dwight Way. Is it Banksy's work? Check out the other art on his website and make your own decision.