A new piece of street art has appeared in the English town of Tenterden, sparking excitement among residents and drawing comparisons to the famous anonymous artist Banksy. The artwork, created by Hampshire-based street artist known as 'Hendog,' depicts a child playing both a harmonica and guitar and has been installed on Sayers Lane in the town center.
The piece, titled 'Small Town Blues,' appeared on the exterior wall of a clothing store called Ibbidi Bobbidi Boo. Like Banksy, Hendog maintains anonymity and has signed the work with their distinctive tag. The artist shared photographs of the completed artwork on their Instagram page, generating significant interest from followers and local residents.
Social media reactions to the new artwork have been overwhelmingly positive, with many users praising both the technical skill and artistic merit of the piece. Christine Thompson, a local resident, described the work as 'top-notch' and made direct comparisons to Banksy's style and quality. 'It's not a Banksy but just as good in my view,' Thompson commented. 'Thank you to the artist for making a boring corner interesting.'
Jeff Martin, another community member, noted the intricate detail work involved in creating the piece. 'I'd say there's more detail in that work than a Banksy,' Martin observed. However, he also acknowledged the complex nature of unauthorized street art, adding, 'It's a tricky one as I personally think it's lovely and whoever did it is truly talented, but would I feel the same if it was on my house?'
Martin went on to characterize the work as legitimate art rather than vandalism, stating, 'It's not a mess, and it's not political, and it's interesting and beautiful in a way, definitely art, not vandalism. Plus, if it brings more people to the high street, then it's a good thing.'
Marcus Ades praised the technical execution of the artwork, particularly highlighting the stencil work involved. 'Amazing stencil work. Very intricate,' Ades commented. He also noted Hendog's growing reputation within street art communities, explaining, 'They are anonymous like Banksy, well-known in street art circles. It is an honour to have their art in Tenterden.'
Some residents expressed hope that this piece might be the beginning of a larger street art movement in the town. Maggie Rennie suggested, 'Love it. Maybe a few more should be scattered around the town?'
This is not Hendog's first appearance in the region. The artist has previously created works elsewhere in Kent, demonstrating a pattern of activity in the area. In October of the previous year, another Hendog piece was discovered in Maidstone's Mote Park. That artwork, titled 'Fishing the Mote,' featured a child carrying a fishing rod and was painted on the wall of former public restrooms near the park's lake.
Additionally, in 2023, Hendog completed two separate pieces in Dover, both depicting a boy dressed in 1940s-era clothing. These works established the artist's presence in Kent and demonstrated their consistent style and thematic focus on childhood imagery.
The appearance of street art in small English towns has become increasingly common, with many artists following in the footsteps of Banksy's success. However, the practice remains controversial, as it often involves unauthorized use of private or public property. Despite this, many communities have embraced such artwork when it is skillfully executed and adds cultural value to the area.
Hendog's work shares several characteristics with Banksy's approach, including the use of stencils for precise detail work, anonymous identity, and focus on socially resonant imagery. However, while Banksy's work often contains explicit political commentary, Hendog's pieces tend toward more universal themes of childhood and nostalgia.
The technique used in 'Small Town Blues' demonstrates sophisticated stencil work, requiring multiple layers and careful planning to achieve the level of detail visible in the final piece. The artwork shows a child engaged with music, potentially representing themes of creativity, youth, and artistic expression in small-town settings.
Local business owners have not yet publicly commented on whether they authorized the artwork or plan to remove it. The piece's location on a commercial building raises questions about property rights and artistic expression that are common in street art discussions.
The growing attention to Hendog's work reflects broader interest in street art as a legitimate artistic medium. Once dismissed as mere vandalism, street art has gained recognition in galleries, museums, and auction houses worldwide, largely due to Banksy's commercial success and cultural impact.
As street art continues to evolve from underground movement to mainstream art form, artists like Hendog represent a new generation working within this tradition while developing their own distinctive styles and approaches. The positive community response to 'Small Town Blues' suggests that well-executed street art can enhance rather than detract from local environments when thoughtfully placed and skillfully created.
