The stenciled rat mural on the side of the taco shop in Oceanside is officially NOT by the street artist Banksy.
I've just received an email from Banksy's public relations film, Acme PR, confirming that the mural on the side of the Bull Taco shop in Oceanside is not by Banksy.
Since the mural was discovered Friday morning, rumors spread that the graffiti was made by the internationally known street artist Banksy, who has never revealed his identity. He recently made the film "Exit Through The Gift Shop."
The rumored Banksy mural drew daily crowds, many posing in front of the mural for pictures. The media has flocked as well. A flurry of stories were published over the weekend. On Monday, media outfits from Mexico were shooting a story in the taco-shop parking lot.
Bull Taco shop owner Greg Lukasiewicz (there are four owners) told me by phone yesterday that the mural's presence has definitely increased sales. "We're usually slow on Mondays and Tuesdays, but not this week."
Some have insisted from the beginning that the Oceanside rat is not Banksy's work. In fact, coverage online has yielded fierce debate in comment streams about the mural's authenticity.
Nancy Willen, from Acme PR, said in her email that they've told all the media outlets that have inquired that it's not by Banksy. She adds, "somehow the story that it's a Banksy piece persists."
