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Street artist Hendog (@hendog) claims ownership of popular Newbury town centre mural The Haribo Proposal and ‘doesn't mind’ comparisons to Banksy




A street artist has come forward to claim ownership of a new mural which appeared in Newbury town centre last week, dispelling any rumours that the town had acquired its very own Banksy artwork.

The anonymous creative known only as ‘Hendog’ claimed responsibility for “The Haribo Proposal”, a piece of graffiti art which was discovered on the north abutment of the New American Bridge last Thursday morning (November 21).

The impressive mural depicts a young schoolboy proposing to a schoolgirl with a Haribo ring and it can be seen when travelling along the canal towpath from Northbrook Street to Victoria Park.

The Haribo Proposal on the New American Bridge in central Newbury
The Haribo Proposal on the New American Bridge in central Newbury

The Haribo Proposal is part of Hendog’s “Joyful Nostalgia” series, a collection of works that often depict children playing in order to invoke a sense of childlike happiness in the viewer.

Talking to Newburytoday about his Newbury piece, Hendog said: “To the majority of people it is just a nice image. You see it and you think, “Oh, that’s cute”.

“But to the people that it triggers a memory for, it can be really special.

“Whether somebody has a memory of that as a kid, or you know a lot of people have actually been proposed to with Haribo rings.

The impressive mural depicts a young schoolboy proposing to a schoolgirl with a Haribo ring
The impressive mural depicts a young schoolboy proposing to a schoolgirl with a Haribo ring

“What I found with it is that it has a really special meaning to the very few, but it is a really cool image to the many.”

The anonymous Winchester-based artist started creating street art three years ago after becoming absorbed in the creative process of stencilling during lockdown.

Hendog has created around 50 murals since then throughout the south of England. The Haribo Proposal is his first work in Berkshire.

His Instagram page (@hendog) boasts nearly 12,000 followers and his work has been featured in the local press as well as on BBC News and ITV Meridian.

“To the people that it triggers a memory for, it can be really special”
“To the people that it triggers a memory for, it can be really special”

“I’ve never had any pushback or people trying to remove my artworks,” he said.

“So far, so good, but that’s not to say it won’t happen in the future. It may happen one day and I am always prepared for that.”

Hendog was grateful to discover the positive reception The Haribo Proposal has received in Newbury.

“It is for people,” he added. “I try to make my art accessible for everybody and I guess that’s the whole point of the culture of street art.”

Hendog "doesn't mind” the comparisons to Banksy, and said it was “very flattering” to be compared to one of the world’s biggest artists.

“The more pieces I paint, the more I can separate from [comparisons with Banksy],” he said.

“The styles are different. It’s just when you see stencil art, your brain instantly goes to Banksy because there isn’t really much in the public eye to compare it to.

Hendog hasn’t ruled out returning to Newbury to create another of his popular artworks
Hendog hasn’t ruled out returning to Newbury to create another of his popular artworks

“I think the more I paint, the more differences people will see and I’m hoping to push it into an elevated version of stencil art.”

Hendog also stated that he hasn't ruled out returning to Newbury to paint another artwork.

“I always try to focus on the perfect place for the piece, and if a piece comes up that will fit into Newbury as well as this one did, I would for sure come back and paint it.”



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