Banksy Margate Valentine's Day artwork moved for restoration

A work by the artist Banksy which appeared on a wall in Margate last month has been removed for restoration before it goes on display.

"Valentine's day mascara" will be on show at the Dreamland theme park in the Kent town.

The entire wall containing the mural has now been removed and taken away using a mechanical digger.

The theme park has an agreement to display the piece of artwork for 12 months.

A joint statement from Dreamland and London-based Red Eight Galleries said the mural was "removed by a skilled team of professionals and taken to an art conservator in Faversham."

It will be prepared for its eventual installation where it will be on display for the public to see, the statement said, adding that "the date of the unveiling at Dreamland will be announced in due course."

Both organisations said they were "delighted that they have been able to help the artwork's current owner achieve their dreams for it and look forward to revealing it in its new home".

Julian Usher, chief executive of Red Eight Galleries said: "It's a typical Banksy, promoting a message - this one is anti domestic abuse. So it has a strong message."

The mural shows a 1950s housewife with a swollen eye and missing tooth, apparently shutting a man in a freezer.

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