"Wallpaper Hanging" stands as a vibrant piece of street art situated adjacent to Regent’s Canal tunnel and beneath the British Transport Police Headquarters in Camden. Created in 2009, this mural features a city worker rendered in Banksy's distinctive stencil style, concealing the work of another graffiti artist dating back to 1985 by overlaying it with a grey wallpaper motif.
The other artist was known as King Robbo, now deceased. He made it when he was only 15 years old. His large full color artwork, called “Robbo Incorporated”, had over the years become the oldest piece of graffiti in London. Over time, virtually all of his works had been gradually removed from London’s trains and walls by authorities, except for this piece. In 2009 however, Banksy destroyed most of it with a stencil of a workman pasting wallpaper.
This particular wall became the epicenter of a graffiti war between Banksy and King Robbo. Robbo retaliated by painting over Banksy's creation, referring to the breach of the underground code of conduct.
Over time, this wall underwent a total of eight alterations, courtesy of both artists. The rivalry reached its conclusion when King Robbo sustained life-threatening head injuries and was hospitalized. Upon learning of Robbo's grave health condition, Banksy paid tribute by painting an homage to Robbo's original graffiti piece.
In a gesture of respect for Robbo, the mural was ultimately restored to its original state, albeit with some subtle modifications.
