He really sees the potential in this important historic building, which not only has links to Oscar Wilde but is built on top of the site of the former Reading Abbey, where King Henry I was buried,” Matt Rodda, a member of the British Parliament, told the BBC. “I've been speaking to Banksy and his team for some months now and I'm impressed with his commitment to saving the prison. Īmerica is changing faster than ever! Add Changing America to your Facebook or Twitter feed to stay on top of the news.Ī spokesperson for Banksy also told the BBC that the artist’s pledge was dependent on the Ministry of Justice awarding the bid to the Reading Borough Council and the jail being converted to an arts center.īritish actor Judi Dench, Kate Winslet and Natalie Dormer have also lent their support to Banksy’s campaign to convert the prison to an arts center.īritish officials have also praised Banksy for his pledge. Converting the place that destroyed him into a refuge for art feels so perfect we have to do it,” Banksy, whose identity remains anonymous, said, according to the BBC. “Oscar Wilde is the patron saint of smashing two contrasting ideas together to create magic.
The prison was put up for sale back in 2019 and Banksy has offered to raise millions of dollars toward buying it, promising to match the jail’s nearly $10 million asking price, according to the BBC. Reading Prison is where poet Oscar Wilde was held between 18 after he was convicted for “gross indecency” over a same-sex affair he had with another English poet, Lord Alfred Douglas.
Famed British street artist Banksy wants to convert a famous prison into an arts venue.
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