Discovered in Bristol, UK circa 1999.

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The piece was painted inside former German cargo ship ‘Thekla’, which was moored in Mud Dock, Bristol.

 

The ship which was converted into a music and comedy venue in 1983 and by the mid 1990’s and early 2000’s it was operating as a nightclub.

 

Banksy painted a number of works at the venue, most famously his ‘Grim Reaper’ on the hull of the ship in 2003, which was later transferred to Bristol Museum’s M Shed, a harbourside museum.

 

The smaller ‘Running Coppers’ was removed from the ship during renovation works in 2006, and was salvaged by one of the site workers who was a fan of Banksy’s work.

 

The site worker then approached Banksy for his permission to keep the piece and was verbally given Banksy’s blessing.

 

A letter from the owner attesting to these events is available for viewing, as is London art dealer Andrew Lamberty’s original description of the piece from 2015, when it was consigned to his gallery.

 

One of a number of examples of this particular stencil, produced by Banksy in Bristol in 1999 and later in London.

 

The piece depicts two British police officers in chase mode. Sprayed onto painted chipboard the piece is quintessential Banksy. More recently the stencil features on the front cover of the artists 2023 ‘Cut & Run’ Glasgow exhibition catalogue.

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