COLCHESTER’S Britpop heroes Damon Albarn and Graham Coxon have been recreated in graffiti by the south east’s answer to Banksy.

A piece depicting the Blur musicians appeared overnight on the hoardings surrounding the town’s old bus station, off Queen Street, Colchester.

Inked drawings of the former Stanway School students feature in the piece as well as wording “Modern Life Is Still Rubbish” - a play on the title of the band’s iconic 1993 album.

The band got into trouble when it visited Clacton for a photoshoot for the best-selling album and daubed its name on a wall.

However, the recent graffiti has been welcomed more warmly in Colchester.

The man behind the latest street art is Worthing-based artist Horace, who has been building up a following by painting graffiti drawings of local heroes in the towns where they grew up.

As well as the Parklife Britpop legends, famous for songs like Parklife, Country House and Song 2, he has paid tribute to boxer Tyson Fury in Morecambe and painted TV presenter Dave Benson Phillips, rock icon Billy Idol and DJ Simon Mayo in his own Sussex hometown.

Gazette:

  • Stars - Colchester’s famous musical sons Blur

His work has led to him being dubbed “Worthing’s Banksy” in recognition of the obvious influence he has drawn from the illusive Bristol artist.

Horace said: “I have some friends in Colchester and I am a Blur fan so it was a great opportunity to paint some real icons.

“I like to paint in unlikely places.

“Having grown up in a small town myself you don’t see street art or decent graffiti unless you go to a big city.

“The hope is that it might inspire people in some way but mostly I just thought it would be cool.

“The great thing about this is that people come to you with ideas and projects which is ideal for any artist.

“I’m always happy to hear from people and will consider any project.”

Horace’s graffiti is situated on the hoardings installed around the site of Alumno’s stalled development of Colchester’s so-called Cultural Quarter.

The developer’s bid to build 336-student flats, an 87-bed Travelodge, retail units and public open space is set to go to a planning inquiry in October after being rejected by the council’s planning committee.

A spokesman for Colchester Council said the piece would be left until the future of the site was resolved.

He said: “Firstsite is intended to showcase contemporary art in the borough and whilst we do not endorse or encourage graffiti on private property, in this case the artwork does enhance a drab hoarding and will be retained for the public to enjoy until the future of the site is resolved.

“Whilst Horace is obviously a talented artist, we do ask residents and visitors to play their part in helping to keep the town clean and graffiti-free.

“Graffiti is unsightly and costs the council money to clean up – money that can be better spent on other services.

“We welcome and encourage the public to report any incidents of graffiti to us directly, via our website, at colchester.gov.uk/report-graffiti.”

Tendring Council was less understanding when it painted over a mural by the iconic artist Banksy.

The mural showed four pigeons holding signs including “Go Back to Africa”, while a more exotic-looking bird looked on.

The mural appeared in 2014 when a by-election had been triggered by the defection of former Conservative MP Douglas Carswell to UKIP.

Tendring Council received a complaint the work was “racist” and painted over it, not realising it was valuable artwork.

To see more of Horace’s artwork, search horace_art on Instagram.