Arts News: This Is England

'Cheeky, yes. Rebellious, definitely. But quintessentially British? Banksy's image of kissing policemen, originally daubed on a Brighton pub wall, has been surprisingly named the single work of art that best expresses British identity in a poll of 1,000 artists.
'The graffiti artist's depiction of a two policemen in a clinch tops a list dominated by bold and predominantly modern works chosen by British artists as representative of their national heritage...'

The Independent. 
I don't know a lot about art, but I do know any great work of art would be much improved by leaning an old bike against it, and having it right next to a pub's stinky bins.
Brigh'on!

Banksy: Kisses For Sale

"A piece of wall bearing one of Banksy’s most iconic works has been flown to America to be sold.
"Experts predict the kissing policeman [Sic], painted on the wall of the Prince Albert pub in Trafalgar Street, Brighton in 2004, could reach in excess of £1 million."

The Argus, Brighton.
Eh? The original was painted over by (presumably homophobic) vandals in 2006, but I hope the squillionaire new owner is happy with whatever he's bought.

Update: "In 2008 a specialist art restoration company used chemicals to transfer the image onto a canvas, and the original was replaced with a facsimile, encased in perspex. "I don't think we are cheating people," said Steward. "Maybe it's a little bit misleading but it's 80% a Banksy, just the stencil's been done by somebody else." (The Guardian)
Eh?