Artwork painted on corner of garage to stay in south Wales town for at least three years

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

A Banksy artwork that appeared on the corner of a steelworker’s garage in Port Talbot, south Wales, is to be moved to a new museum of street art in the town.

The corner of the garage featuring the work will be moved in one chunk and given pride of place in a new complex redeveloped from an disused police station, an ironic location given that many street artists often find themselves on the other side of the law.

The work, known as Season’s Greetings, will be displayed alongside works by street artists such as Blek le Rat and Pure Evil. There are also plans to bring in pieces by Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest The Banksy appeared just before Christmas in Taibach, close to the Tata steelworks. Photograph: Ben Birchall/PA

The art dealer John Brandler, who bought the Banksy from the steelworker Ian Lewis for a six figure sum, said he hoped people would be able to visit the artwork by the summer and promised it would stay in Port Talbot for at least three years.

He said he wanted the museum to be free for under-16s and for residents of Port Talbot. “After all, Banksy gave it to the people of the town,” said Brandler.

Tens of thousands of people have visited the garage and it is hoped its new location will become a more permanent magnet for visitors.

The Banksy appeared just before Christmas in Taibach, close to the Tata steelworks. From one angle, it shows a child in a bobble hat with a sled, apparently enjoying a snow shower and trying to catch the flakes on their tongue. But from another it becomes clear that what is falling on the child is ash.

Banksy confirmed the work was his by releasing a video of the mural accompanied by the Christmas song Little Snowflake. The camera rises above the garage and shows Port Talbot’s rooftops and the billowing chimneys of the steelworks and other industrial buildings.

Round-the-clock security has had to be introduced to protect the artwork and it created a cottage industry in souvenirs – mugs, coasters, keyrings – carrying the image of the work.

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The Banksy is expected to be relocated to Ty’r Orsaf, a former police station recently developed into a mixed use retail unit in the town centre.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas, the Welsh government’s deputy minister for culture, sport and tourism, confirmed Ty’r Orsaf was the preferred location.

He said: “A request for financial support for relocation of the artwork has recently been received. My officials have issued a grant offer to John Brandler for the artwork’s relocation to Ty’r Orsaf, subject to it remaining on public display.

“Following discussions between my officials and John Brandler, I am pleased to confirm the artwork will remain in Port Talbot for a minimum period of three years.”